Shark Attacks Surfer’s Face In New Smyrna Beach

Surfing is supposed to be about having fun and getting out on the water, but things turned frightening when a shark attacked a surfer's face in New Smyrna Beach.

When we're enjoying our beaches here in Fort Myers, Naples, Sanibel and Captiva, while we know sharks can be lurking, thankfully it's not a huge worry for us when we enter the water. Sure, it could happen, but shark attacks are much more prevalent on the east coast of Florida. A 38-year-old surfer visiting from South Carolina had an absolutely frightening encounter with a shark Tuesday morning. Just before 8 a.m. he was surfing at the inlet and got bit in the face.

New Smyrna Beach is known as the World Shark Bite Capital and was #1 on the list of Most Dangerous Beaches in America. According to The Daytona Beach News-Journal, there have been twice as many shark attacks there than any other beach. They report that the inlet in particular sees the most shark bites because of sharks feed near there and mistake surfers for baitfish. Thankfully the majority of the injuries are minor, but incredibly scary nonetheless.

WESH reports the victim was taken to a hospital but has been released.

Southwest Florida is a tourist dream with sandy beaches, sunshine, and minor league baseball. But stray too far from civilization, and it can get pretty scary. Did Brian Laundrie kill himself because he was overwhelmed with guilt, or was it because he was about to be eaten? All they found was skeletal remains.

UPDATE: This list is from 2022. To see the the current list (with additional commentary!) you'll find that here: Power Ranking The 14 Wild Animals In Florida That Can Kill You

Let's face it, there's a lot of things down here trying to kill you. There's 6 venomous snakes in Florida, and only 2 of them were deadly enough to make this list. Our tropical environment brings danger, both on the land and in the water. The only thing we're missing is flying death. Fortunately the Pterodactyls got knocked out by evolution, or a giant meteor, or aliens, or whatever. Imagine being out golfing, maybe shooting 2 under on the 15th, it's a beautiful day and BAM a pterodactyl scoops you up for lunch. This has to be the reason why cavemen didn't golf.

Ranker took a look at the most dangerous animals here in the sunshine state. I wanted to add "Snowbird behind the wheel of a car" but decided to stick to the Florida animals that live here year round. So here we go, with 14 animals in Florida that can kill you.

A fun stat? Box jellyfish kill more people each year than sharks. A sting from this thing can stop your heart. Plus when you make it back to shore someone will of course volunteer to pee on you, which actually doesn't help. And - eww. Still feel like going for a swim?

I know someone that had multiple brown recluse spider bites on her arm. She didn't die but it suuuuuuuuuucked. Necrosis, fever, vomiting are all likely symptoms.

Now, normally you won't die if you get bit by one of these, but are you ready to roll the dice? One time I was at a transmitter site and opened a panel to find a black widow waiting inside. I don't help with engineering anymore. Nope.

It's called a rattlesnake for a reason, it'll rattle it's tail to let you know you need to move on. If unheeded, this snake has an incredible painful bite. If you don't get help immediately, you can die. Painfully.

You knew there'd be a shark on this list. Big and aggressive, they cruise the coast of Florida. If you're waist deep out in the gulf and there's little fish swimming all around you  - move. They're called bait fish for a reason.

Class, this is what's know as an Apex predator. Top of the food chain. More and more often we're seeing these beasts on the golf course. Don't wanna get eaten? Stick to Top Golf.

Look at how that thing blends in with the leaves - watch your step. Interesting fact, this snake will generally give you a warning strike with little or no venom. The second bite though...

It sounds friendly enough, except that the "kiss" is actually a bloodsucking bite. But that's not where the real danger is. These bugs transfer a parasite that transmits Chagas, which may lead to fatal cardiac arrest.

Yes, as in "Jaws". Like old people from New York, they come down here in the winter for the warmer climate. And occasionally nibble on a swimmer.

I've been bit by fire ants many times, it's not fun. Twice outside the Walmart in North Fort Myers. Fortunately for me after the first couple of bites I'm smart enough to get out of the grass. If you're allergic, or even if you get enough bites, your body can swell up to the point where you suffocate. The best way to avoid this is to stay inside and play video games.

Super sharp teeth and don't normally attack humans. These things can swim up to 35 mph and if something shiny catches their eye, like a necklace on a swimmer, they might accidentally attack. And of course, you know, there's the song.

If you live in a rural area down here, you've seen these things. They are mean, and will attack. The best part? They're full of diseases and bacteria - including anthrax. They've been doing a lot of trapping and relocating these beast from areas along the Estero River. They demolish landscaping.

There's actually no reported deaths in Florida from panther attacks, although they have been know to take down livestock. No human deaths in Florida, don't want to be the first.

If they do attack, they tend to maul rather than kill. So, maybe scarring and horrible disfigurement? Black bears live in the rural areas and are quite known to sift through trash and if you leave pet food outside - you may get a new pet. I also remember a story of one coming into a guy's garage and opening the fridge.