Suspected bull shark takes 15cm chunk out of boy's surfboard day after teen mauled

Monday, 19 January 2026 15:25

The 11-year-old has narrowly avoided injury after the shark took a chunk out of his surfboard.

A suspected bull shark has bitten an 11-year-old boy's surfboard on Sydney's Northern Beaches, the day after another was mauled at a beach in the city's east.

Authorities said a shark took an estimated 15cm chunk out of the boy's surfboard at the netted Dee Why Beach, near Dee Why Point, about 11.45am today.

The boy, who was helped by lifesavers, managed to walk away from the close encounter unscathed.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said photo analysis of the bite mark suggested it was likely from a bull shark.

Department crews, lifesavers and the local council are responding to the incident.

Jet skis are out patrolling the waters as a drone monitors the area from above this afternoon and into tomorrow.

Dee Why Beach has been closed for at least 24 hours.

All other ocean beaches on the Northern Beaches, except for Palm Beach, remained closed today due to dangerous surf conditions.

Swimmers are advised to be careful, avoid the beaches, and stay clear of low-visibility and murky water.

The incident comes just a day after another suspected bull shark mauled a 12-year-old boy about 27kms away near Shark Beach in Vaculuse.

He suffered serious injuries to both legs and was pulled from the water by his friends and emergency services.

He is fighting for his life at Sydney Children's Hospital.

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