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A shark bit my leg off - so i took up surfing - brand new me

A shark bit my leg off - so i took up surfing - brand new me

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Rating: 4.0; Vote: 1
A young South African actor took up surfing - after having his right leg bitten off by a great white shark. Caleb Swanepoel, 26, of Cape Town, South Africa, was a young acting student with a love of the outdoors when, at the age of 20, his life changed forever. Bodysurfing in the sea during a family holiday, he was attacked by a great white shark, which pulled him underwater and severed his right leg above the knee. He was able to swim to shore with the help of his brother Sandy before being airlifted to hospital. Amazingly Caleb was on crutches within three days and spent a mere 10 days in hospital - going back into the ocean to conquer his fears only three weeks after the attack. Caleb started surfing as part of his physical therapy and was invited to the first ever South African Adaptive Surfing Championships - where he ended up winning his category, earning a spot to represent South Africa at the World Adaptive Surfing Games. And despite the trauma of Caleb-s shark attack, the para athlete is at pains to stress how happy he is to have survived - and to be able to continue to compete. He said: -Something I take away from my shark attack is to value what you-ve been given. I think a lot of the time we take for granted our bodies, I want to show people that your disability doesn-t define you - it-s just part of you
Date: 2023-09-12

Comments and reviews: 15


Its awesome that he could go back in the water I am deathly afraid of the ocean after watching shark week with my husband and I used to love the Ocean. People need to love and respect the Ocean that is the sharks home and their territory not ours and I think that Surfers and a lot of beach goers know this better than anyone else. what a amazing and strong man.
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Compared to how many people actually get in the ocean, shark attacks are actually quite low, but it's always amazed me how most of the people who do endure/survive these attacks refuse to let the fear of them keep them out of the water. I don't know if I wouldn't let myself succumb to it, so I've always found their bravery and determination inspiring.
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Cheers for this I-ve not surfed since I was 15 I lost my left leg after a accident in the British army that was in 2010 I-m 55 now but I-m gonna have a go I live in Devon UK -- so the beach is on my doorstep so to speak thanks again for the share and will give it a good go this year
All the best
Tim

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He is really proud of his scar, kudos to him, and imagine the coming generations telling stories of their ancestor who fought a shark with all his might, lost a leg but lived to pass on the legend, the brave one.
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-Your disability doesn-t define you, it-s just a part of you. - I needed to hear that. I have one and a lot of the time it feels like it-s taken over my life.
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Wow this guy is strong. I-m surprised he wasn-t traumatized by the accident. Good on this guys for continuing doing what he loves after what happened to him.
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We need more story like this, so inspiring. Not the sugar baby story or insane plastic surgery addict, but sometimes those stories kinda intersting.
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I'm happy that he didn't put the whole blame on the shark, he needs to survive too and he was just there at the wrong place at the wrong time
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You just might be Superman, but you are definitely not handicapped! What an inspiration you are too many, including me!
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You are great soul. -I think a lot of the time we take for granted our bodies-. True. young, handsome, energetic man-
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You definitely turned it to a positive and inspirational message - Stay strong and enjoy everything that you do - -
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I would honestly love to tell people who ask what happened to my leg like
- oh yeah it got bit off by a shark -

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I think if that happened to me I'd be afraid to wash my face in the sink, let alone go back into the sea
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This is an amazing story! One of my favorites that has been posted on here. He-s truly an incredible person.
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If you know or ever meet this gent, you better not give give him any excuses about anything. damn stud-man.
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