Australian windsurfer Andy McDonald survived a terrifying shark encounter this week near Western Australia’s south-west coast. The shark reportedly bit into his board, knocked him into the water and tangled with his leg-rope before McDonald scrambled back on board and reached shore.

The incident happened off Prevelly Beach near Margaret River, a region famed for its surf breaks and white-shark sightings. McDonald described the moment he realised the shark was on top of him: “At that point I thought, ‘This is it. This is my time up.’” He said he fought back, punched and kicked, then climbed onto his inflatable sail to stay out of the water until he could paddle to safety.

Footage from a surf-camera shows the dive, sudden splash and later the damaged board — a chunk clearly bitten out of the nose. Though shaken, McDonald says he intends to return to windsurfing soon. He believes the shark abandoned the chase when the board made an unpleasant taste.

Western Australia’s shark-monitoring authority said no other injuries were reported in the vicinity and reminded ocean users that the south-west region remains high-risk for shark activity, especially at dusk and when using foil boards.

McDonald’s escape serves as a sharp reminder that even seasoned water-sport athletes remain vulnerable in ocean zones where predator and human activity overlap. As marine conditions evolve and more users venture into deeper water, risks are increasing.