Overview
- Tommy Civik, 26, was struck north of the Gualala River around 8:45 a.m., about 150 feet from shore, and sustained non-life-threatening puncture wounds.
- A friend reported seeing a large shark hurl Civik into the air and seize half of his surfboard before disappearing.
- Civik reached the beach on his own and then drove to a hospital for stitches after meeting first responders.
- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife collected his torn wetsuit, damaged board, and wound dressings for DNA analysis to identify the species.
- Officials and researchers point to seasonal white shark presence along this coast and urge caution while stressing that shark bites remain uncommon.