The surfer who narrowly escaped a terrifying shark encounter at a northern NSW beach has shared a message of gratitude, saying he feels “lucky the universe had different plans” for him.
Brad Ross was catching waves at Cabarita Beach, just south of the Queensland border, when a four-metre great white struck his board shortly after 8am last week. Photos later showed the board snapped clean in two, with a giant bite mark carved through the foam.
Now, just six days on, Ross is turning his ordeal into a celebration of life. In a heartfelt post to Instagram, he thanked his family, friends and the wider surf community for their support, writing:
“I feel so grateful to be here and so lucky the universe had different plans for me. It’s a good reminder of how delicate and precious life is.”
The surfer said the past week had been “one hell of a ride” but urged others to make the most of every moment.
“Hug your family and tell them you love them. See you all around soon,” he added.
Local authorities closed the beach after the incident, with Surf Life Saving NSW deploying aerial patrols to monitor the area. Not long after, a five-metre great white was detected off nearby Norries Headland, although it escaped before researchers could tag it.
For Ross, the drama has reinforced a sense of connection to community and a renewed appreciation for life on the coast.
“I’m slowly coming back down to land,” he wrote, “but I couldn’t be more thankful.”
Images: Instagram
