Oregon Surfer, Bobby Gumm Has Dramatic White Shark Encounter

"It was the heaviest thing I ever saw in the water in my 42 years of surfing.” - South Beach Ron Clifford Towsurfer.com/Big-Wave Addicts News

Bobby Gumm's White Shark Encounter. Photo: Michelle Harris Towsurfer.com

(SOUTH BEACH, Ore.) - One second you're on your surfboard, and the next you're under attack from a 2,000 Great White shark. It's the last thing local South Beach surfer Bobby Gumm expected when he hit the waves Sunday afternoon in calm conditions.

The White shark that attacked Bobby is estimated to have been 15' - 16' in length. He was sitting on his surfboard and waiting to catch a wave, he experienced this once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

The shark passed beneath the surfer striking Gumm and his board, launching them vertically 10’ into the air.

Mark Marks, a Shark Research Biologist from Newport, Oregon, has confirmed the size and species of the shark based on forensic evidence of the board. This encounter comes just days after a recent sighting of another large shark during a taping of Big-Wave Addicts in Oregon waters just 30 miles north of South Beach.

After a telephone conversation with Mr. Gumm, I can tell you his story is both amazing and awe inspiring. He is just so grateful to be alive, not injured and home with his family!

Ron Clifford, a fellow surfer in the water near the victim said, "It was the heaviest thing I ever saw in the water in my 42 years of surfing."

George DeSoto, field correspondent, and Michelle Harris field producer of Big-Wave Addicts, a YouTube reality show produced by Towsurfer.com just finished taping an exclusive interview with Bobby Gumm, the eye witness and the shark research biologist. This interview is available for viewing on YouTube’s TowsurferNetwork Channel.

We are pleased to report that Bobby & the shark sustained NO injuries. Bobby says he is "very grateful to be alive". Bobby is still in shock and tells us that he prays everyday before he enters the water.