A local surfer narrowly escaped death when a massive great white shark exploded his board in half at Australia’s notorious “shark pit” beach, highlighting the raw dangers of nature’s predators overpowering human pursuits. The attack on Brad Ross at Cabarita Beach, NSW, which was captured live on a surf cam, saw the 12-foot shark destroy his board in a single bite and launch him into the air. Ross paddled to shore uninjured, but the incident underscores why this stretch of coast, a known great white migratory route, has earned its high-risk reputation.
Story Snapshot
- Brad Ross, a local surfer, was struck from below by a 12-foot suspected great white at Cabarita Beach, NSW, at 7:26 a.m. in 3-foot surf.
- Shark’s single massive bite destroyed his board nearly in half, catapulting him into the air; captured live on surf cam.
- Ross paddled to shore uninjured using board fragments; the drone soon spotted the large shark nearby.
- Part of a cluster: prior attacks include a 2020 foilboarder hit and a recent bite on a 16-year-old at the same spot.
The Dramatic Attack Unfolds
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Brad Ross paddled into a B-grade point break at Cabarita Beach on New South Wales north coast around 7:26 a.m. local time. Conditions offered 3-foot clean surf at this point/reef setup, a draw for local surfers despite risks. Suddenly, a large shark estimated at 12 feet struck from below, biting his surfboard in one massive chomp. The impact exploded the board nearly in half and launched Ross airborne. Surf cam footage captured the entire violent sequence.
A surfer has narrowly escaped the jaws of a great white shark at Cabarita Beach. Brad Ross managed to escape with just a few scratches, but the force of the shark's bite snapped his board in two. https://t.co/6xoOvi1n0g @AmandaAbate #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/HZz9s81HM6
— 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) August 18, 2025
Cabarita’s Reputation as Shark Hotspot
Cabarita Beach near Tweed Heads sits in a rich marine ecosystem along the East Australian Current, attracting great whites on migratory routes. Surfers call high-risk zones the “shark pit” due to repeated encounters. In 2020, foilboarder Christian Bungate survived a great white hit that clamped his foil wing, embedding a tooth and sparing his abdomen. Just one month before Ross’s attack, a shark bit a 16-year-old on arms and legs, chasing others to shore in a Jaws-like scene phone footage recorded.
These incidents mark Cabarita as a repeat site, where quality waves coincide with apex predators drawn to productive waters and fish. Local surf culture tolerates shark risk for wave access, but clusters intensify debates over personal choice versus safety measures. NSW invests in drones, smart drumlines, and tagging, as seen in the immediate post-attack drone spotting the shark.
Immediate Response and Broader Pattern
Ross grabbed remaining foam fragments and paddled to shore unharmed, while other surfers cleared the water. Authorities followed standard protocol with enhanced monitoring, though no long-term closure occurred. Surf media like BeachGrit and Surfer Magazine published same-day coverage tying the event to rising encounters. 7NEWS aired visuals of the semicircular bite marks, emphasizing Ross’s miraculous survival.
This case echoes patterns in Australian shark incidents, such as a 61-year-old hydrofoiler at Prevelly near Margaret River dragged underwater but uninjured, board damaged. Survivors like Bungate credit equipment for redirecting bites from bodies. Officials note attacks remain rare—18 unprovoked in Australia that year—yet hotspots demand vigilance. Technology like surf cams and drones provides unprecedented evidence, aiding management without overreach.
Lessons for Risk-Takers
Brad Ross embodies surfer resilience, escaping catastrophic board damage without serious wounds despite the shark’s proximity. Media frames his luck as extraordinary, given bite size and launch force. Cabarita remains open with ongoing NSW SharkSmart surveillance, balancing beach access and caution. The cluster underscores nature’s dominance: humans pursue waves in predator territory at their peril, relying on skill, gear, and fortune.
Watch the report: Surfer’s lucky escape following shark attack | Today Show Australia
Sources:
BeachGrit: “Surfer Escapes Great White Attack At Cabarita Beach Amid Rising Shark Encounters”
Surfer Magazine: “Surfer Catapulted by Great White Shark, Board ‘Exploded’ (Video)”
The Telegraph: Windsurfer survives great white shark attack
