Surfboard bitten by shark
Maker
Philip Myers Surfboards
Datec 1990
Object number00033900
NameSurfboard
MediumPolyurethane foam core with fibreglass/ resin finish
DimensionsOverall: 2080 x 515 x 148 mm
ClassificationsToys, games and souvenirs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis white Free Flight mini Malibu surfboard was made by Phil Myers of Ballina during the 1990s. The board is a hybrid of the Malibu and short board form with a square tail, single stringer and three black fins. The original owner of the board, Roger Frankland, was attacked by a shark while surfing in November 2002. The left rail of the board has bite marks, and the underside of the board has a large dent and radial creasing due to the impact of an 8-to-10-foot black whaler shark.HistoryThe incident occurred in murky water 200 meters off Flat Rock Beach near Ballina, New South Wales. Roger Frankland was lying on his board paddling from shore with a friend when he was struck from below. The impact threw him over a meter into the air. Having scrambled back onto his board Franklin and other surfers paddled back to shore. Local surfer and filmmaker George Greenough was paddling out when the others told him what had happened. Although Franklin didn't see what hit him, George Greenough was able to identify the size and type of shark by matching teeth marks on the board to a black whaler jawbone at his home. He concluded the shark would have been 8 to 10 feet in length and was a transient individual following currents into the area off Flat Rock.SignificanceThe attack received prominent media attention in local and surfing press, and the surfboard provides graphic evidence of the natural hazards of surfing. With increasing numbers of surfers in the water, attacks have become more frequent and are focusing attention on marine environmental issues.
