Plett man knocked off surf-ski by great white

A Plettenberg Bay surf-skier is lucky to have escaped unscathed on Friday after, what is believed to be a great white shark, knocked him off his surf-ski during an early morning paddle near Robberg Beach.

Dave Manson and four other paddlers were out at the popular local surf spot The Wreck just after 8am on Friday when the shark violently hit Manson's paddle-ski knocking him into the ocean.

Manson's fellow paddler's came to his aid and managed to bring him safely to the beach without injuries.

It was only later that they realised that the shark had bitten off a large piece of his paddle-ski in the process.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Plettenberg Bay  responded  shortly after the incident and recovered the surf-ski from the water and returned it to the paddlers.

The NSRI are urging the public to be cautious. It is now well known that at this time of the year sharks migrate close in-shore to feed as part of their natural habit and NSRI urge paddlers, surfers and bathers to be cautious and to be aware of this natural phenomenon.