Chris Murray, a 50-year-old swimmer from the United Kingdom, experienced every open water swimmer’s worst nightmare early Tuesday morning when he was attacked by a shark while attempting to swim the Catalina Channel.
Murray was about two and a half hours into the 20-mile swim between Santa Catalina Island and the California mainland when a juvenile great white shark, estimated at three to four feet long, bit his hand. “It hit me and I shook it off,” Murray told CBS News. “And then, I felt another attack and a clamp on my right foot.”
The shark bit Murray twiceโfirst clamping down on his left hand, before grabbing hold of his right foot. “I didn’t feel pain, just adrenaline,” he said. “I didn’t even feel shocked. I felt annoyed.”
Murray managed to fight off the shark during the second bite, striking it while it was bitting his heel. His kayaker escort and support crew initially hadn’t noticed the attack until Murray swam close to the dive boat to assess his injuries.
The dive boat crew pulled Murray from the water within seconds, administered first aid, and radioed for help. Within minutes, they met Los Angeles Fire Department boats at sea, who transported Murray back to shore and to the hospital.
His injuries required 20 stitches across his hand, while his foot suffered more extensive damage.
Murray was attempting the Catalina Channel as part of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, which is comprised of the iconic English Channel swim (from Dover to the sandy shores of Franceโs coast โ a distance minimum of 20 miles but usually much longer as currents make it almost impossible to swim in a straight line), the Catalina Channel swim (from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes, California โ a distance of approximately 21 miles) and the 20 Bridges swim around the Island of Manhattan (a distance of 28.5 miles).
Murray had been training for six months, swimming up to 25 miles per week in preparation to complete all three swims.
According to fire officials, shark attacks in the Los Angeles region are extremely rare. There have only been about 15 documented shark bites in the Los Angeles area since 1950, with just over 200 documented bites in the entire state of California during that timeframe.
Despite the traumatic encounter, Murray remains steadfast about the experience. When asked if he would attempt the swim again, he responded: “Never say never.”
Honestly 3 or 4 feet or not your still lucky if he would have wanted you to eat! rather then to play with he would have easily pulled you down and nobody could have done anything about it untill he let go. I realize that isnt always there M.O. but it does happen they take seals in that way sometimes.
Brits hate Catholics and sharks are papists. It makes sense they clashed.
ใThe Old Man and the Seaใ
I can’t help but think of the playground stories, “for the holidays my Dad went on safari to Africa, looking at elephants and lions from the back of an old Land Rover” …. “yeah, well my Dad finished building his drag car and raced it down the 1/4 mile in 10 seconds” …… ” well that’s nothing, my Dad was swimming the Catalina Channel when he was attacked by a great white shark, he wrestled and punched that shark, beating it to near death…..beat that….๐๐” Other kids in unison…..”woaaaahhh”.
I have seen worse bites from a chicken – He could have exaggerated and said it was an 8 meter Great White.
Sharks are very sensual looking
answering questions no one ever asked…
3 to 4ft? Weird to get attacked by a shark that small. Its a baby and usually close to shore not out in the channel. Water at the island was 68-69 and crystal clear yesterday morning I did do a swim in the cove but I always stay in super shallow so mr whitey doesnt see me.
Oh he sees you don’t worry lol!! ๐๐๐.
โI didnโt even feel shocked. I felt annoyedโ is the hardest reaction to getting bit by a shark
British spirit for you #Britainrulesthewaves
Famous not whiny tough guy Nigel Farage…
I loved this part too. But as an open water swimmer, I get it. He trained for months (or even years) for this, spent a pretty penny, and won’t get another chance for a while since there is a wait list.