Key Takeaways
- A shark attack occurred in Matapaua Bay, Coromandel, involving a kayak and a small shark, estimated to be between 220 and 250cm in length.
- The shark, suspected to be a mako shark, exhibited aggressive behavior, biting down on the side of the kayak and causing significant damage.
- The victim, Namioka, acted on instinct during the encounter and was able to fend off the shark with his paddle.
- The encounter has left Namioka shaken, and he is warning others to be cautious when visiting popular Coromandel spots.
- The shark’s behavior was unusual, as it showed no hesitation or fear in attacking the kayak, and its small size made its aggression surprising.
The Shark Attack
The attack occurred when Namioka and his mother were out kayaking in Matapaua Bay. As they were paddling, the shark suddenly appeared and began biting down on the side of Namioka’s kayak. The shark’s head was completely out of the water, and it was gnawing on the kayak, causing deep gashes. Namioka described the encounter as "crazy" and said it felt like something out of a movie. He acted on instinct, using his paddle to hit the shark and defend himself. After a few hits, the shark began to back off, and Namioka was able to paddle quickly towards the rocks and safety.
The Aftermath
The encounter was over quickly, but it has left Namioka shaken. He said he only slept a couple of hours the night after the attack due to the adrenaline still coursing through his system. Around 10-15 minutes after the pair returned to shore, someone spotted what seemed to be the same shark’s fins sticking out of the shallow water near the beach. Namioka is warning others to be cautious when visiting popular Coromandel spots like Ōpito Bay or Kūaotunu, as the shark’s hostile nature makes it a potential threat to others. He suspects that the shark may have been a mako shark, although he is not 100% sure.
The Shark’s Behavior
The shark’s behavior was unusual, as it showed no hesitation or fear in attacking the kayak. Namioka said that the shark was small, between 220 and 250cm in length, which made its aggression surprising. He noted that bronze whaler sharks, which are common in the bay, are not known to attack people, which makes the encounter even more unusual. Namioka also speculated that the orange color of his kayak may have attracted the shark, as it did not attack his mother’s boat, which was a different color. He said that it was lucky that the shark did not attack his mother’s kayak, as it was smaller and she is an older woman, which could have made the encounter even more dangerous.
The Impact on Namioka
The encounter has had a significant impact on Namioka, who has been visiting the family bach near Matapaua Bay for years. He said that he has never heard of anything like this happening before, and it has put him off going back out on the water for a few days. Namioka acted on instinct during the encounter, and it was only afterwards that he was able to think about what had happened. He said that the encounter was a shocking and intense experience, and it has left him feeling shaken. Despite the encounter, Namioka is warning others to be cautious and aware of their surroundings when visiting popular Coromandel spots, as the shark’s aggressive behavior makes it a potential threat to others.
