'Grabbed my ankle and pulled': He surfed for 30 years in Hawaii but an 8-foot shark still took him by surprise

A terrifying shark attack in Hawaii has left a seasoned surfer injured but alive after what could have been a fatal encounter in open water. Koa Smith, a 38-year-old father of two from Oahu, was surfing at Kaikoos on the South Shore when the attack happened without warning.

“It really did feel like somebody just came from behind, grabbed my ankle and pulled,” Smith told Hawaii News Now.

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“I Turned Around… And It Was a Shark”

Smith initially thought he was being pulled by another surfer before realizing the danger he was in. “I was just confused. So I turned around to see who’s doing this, who’s grabbing me. And yeah, it was a shark,” he added.

He believes the attacker was an 8-foot Galapagos shark, which left deep injuries on both legs, including severe wounds to his calf and foot.

“The whole side of my [left] calf is pretty much wide open. And then my right foot has a pretty big gash on it. Yeah, so it got both legs,” he said.

Fight for Survival in the Ocean

Despite the violent attack, Smith managed to break free from the shark and make his way back to shore. He paddled through the pain, eventually crawling onto the beach where he shouted for help. Three bystanders quickly rushed in to assist and called emergency services.

He was later taken to The Queen’s Medical Center, where he underwent multiple surgeries following the May 30 incident.

Lifelong Waterman Faces Rare Reality

Smith is no stranger to the ocean. The Oahu native has spent decades surfing and even worked as a Coast Guard lifeguard.

“I’ve been in the water my entire life. Surfing over 30 years, but I also dive, body surf, body board. Pretty much my entire life is in the ocean,” Smith said.

Doctors expect him to make a full recovery in about six weeks, but the recovery period has kept him away from the waves he grew up with.

“Just watching on Instagram all the waves that I’m missing kind of sucks. But as soon as the doctors let me, I’m back out there,” he said.

Shark Warnings Issued After Attack

According to the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD), the attack occurred near Cromwell’s Beach. Officials later confirmed increased shark activity in the area.

“Following the incident, HOSD personnel conducted an assessment of the area and confirmed the presence of an aggressive shark near the swim area and surf break,” the department told ABC News.

“Warning signs have been posted, and ocean users are strongly advised to stay out of the water in the affected area until further notice,” the HOSD continued.

Authorities also reported sightings of “two aggressive sharks, each estimated at approximately 8 feet in length,” in the area on the same day.

Recovery and Return to the Ocean

While the injuries are serious, Smith’s recovery outlook remains positive. For now, he is focused on healing—but says the ocean will always be part of his life, no matter what happened in the water.