Florida shark attacks surfer, latched on ‘like a bear trap’ in world’s bite capital
Share this @internewscast.com

A Florida surfer is vowing to return to the waves after being bitten by a shark in a county deemed “the shark bite capital of the world.”

Volusia County Beach Safety reported to Fox News Digital that Matthew Bender, 40, from Winter Park, Florida, experienced a shark encounter while surfing at New Smyrna Beach, known for its shark activity, on Sunday, July 6, when a shark bit his arm.

“It felt like something clamped down on me like a bear trap out of nowhere,” Bender recounted to Fox News affiliate WOFL-TV from his hospital bed. “By the time I looked down, it had already left. I never actually saw the shark, but the bite was quite powerful.”

“It felt like electricity – pressure, extreme pressure – and then I think it shook its head as it let go. It was so fast,” he said.

The recovery ahead may be long, and the resulting scar will be permanent.

“I don’t know if it’ll be the cool ones that chicks dig, but it might be ugly,” he joked. 

Matthew Bender surfing

Matthew Bender, 40, said he’s excited to fully recover and head back out to the surf following his shark attack. (WOFL-TV)

The longtime surfer is eager to return to the waves, with doctors expecting Bender to make a full recovery within months.

“I believe the Lord prevented it from being more severe. He works in mysterious ways,” Bender shared. “I’ll need to take a short break, but I’ll be back riding the waves soon. I’m truly a New Smyrna surfer at heart, and this incident won’t put an end to that.”

Authorities have not confirmed the type or size of the shark involved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
U.S. Military Aid Israel: Funding IDF Projects

U.S. Military Support for Israel: Financing IDF Initiatives

The United States channels hundreds of millions in military aid to build…
US adults want the government to focus on child care costs, not birth rates, AP-NORC poll finds

AP-NORC Poll Reveals US Adults Prioritize Child Care Costs Over Birth Rates

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Trump administration considers strategies to motivate more…
Mayor Brandon Johnson discusses 4th of July violence, future of NASCAR Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson Addresses 4th of July Violence and the Future of NASCAR in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is open to bringing…
Man arrested in connection to deadly block party shooting in Jacksonville

Arrest Made in Fatal Jacksonville Block Party Shooting

Stephan Smith, 23, has been arrested in connection to 18-year-old Xzaria Randall’s…
NYC DJ Reda Briki, 52, found dead on houseboat in Queens: sources

NYC DJ Reda Briki, 52, Discovered Dead on Queens Houseboat: Sources

A popular Big Apple DJ who mysteriously vanished three weeks ago has…
Camp Shaw in Manteno, Illinois: Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See talks safety protocols near Rock Creek amid Texas flooding at Camp Mystic

Camp Shaw in Manteno, Illinois: Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See Discusses Safety Measures Near Rock Creek in Light of Texas Flooding at Camp Mystic

MANTENO, Ill. (WLS) — As search and rescue efforts continue in Texas,…
Texas flooding: Death toll from catastrophic storm over the July Fourth weekend surpasses 100

Death Toll from Texas Flooding Over July Fourth Weekend Exceeds 100

The number of fatalities due to devastating floods in Texas over the…
Trump will attend FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium

Trump to Attend FIFA Club World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium

President Donald Trump has announced that he will attend the FIFA Club…
Eric Adams seeks to register 1M new voters to defeat socialist Zohran Mamdani in NYC mayoral election

Eric Adams Aims to Register 1 Million New Voters to Challenge Socialist Zohran Mamdani in NYC Mayoral Race

It’s a million-to-one shot. Mayor Eric Adams wants to register 1 million…
Wife remembers husband after Buckman Bridge crash

Woman Reflects on Husband Following Buckman Bridge Accident

28-year-old Justin Glover is survived by a loving wife and two young…
People running from bulls during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain.

Man Injured by 1,260lb Bull at Notorious Pamplona Bull Run; Stampede Leaves Eight More Injured

A MAN has been gored by a 1,260lb beast at the notorious…
LA ICE Raids Get Wild; Protester Makes Bad Decision to Block Van; Mayor Bass' Statement Is Incredible

Activists Against ICE Attempt to Block Agents from Detaining a Man in San Francisco – A Risky Decision

We’ve seen a lot of wild chaos from anti-ICE protests.  But what…