Popular swimming spot Cheynes Beach re-opens after massive shark knocks surf ski paddler into the water

Cheynes Beach has been reopened to the public more than 24 hours after a woman was knocked off her surf ski by a massive shark close to shore.

The popular swimming and holiday beach was forced shut on Thursday but re-opened at 2.30pm on Friday.

A Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development fisheries mobile patrol vehicle will remain on patrol at Cheynes Beach but if there are no further reported shark sightings in the area, DPIRD land-based patrols will conclude at 6pm on Friday.

The patrols began after the terrifying incident on Thursday.

Just before 8am on March 16 a woman was knocked into the water about 100m offshore after a shark, believed to be five to six metres long, bit her kayak.

The woman was a tourist from NSW who had been staying at the Cheynes Beach Caravan Park.

She was not injured in the ordeal.

Pictures of the surf ski taken after the incident show horrific puncture marks on the underside of the kayak.

A DPIRD spokesperson said the damaged surf ski had been taken to Perth for investigation.

“DPIRD fisheries and marine officers have secured the surf ski and it is currently at the WA Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories for forensic analysis to determine the species of shark involved, if possible,” the spokesperson said.

DPIRD said that the presence of schools of salmon along the south coast during autumn months can attract large marine predators close to the coast.

“Water users are also encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings at all times and they should stay away from large schools of salmon,” they said.

“Ocean users are encouraged to ‘Switch on their Sea Sense’ and stay informed of shark activity by downloading the SharkSmart WA app or visiting the SharkSmart website.”

DPIRD encourage the public to report shark sightings to the Water Police on 9442 8600 and to take note of the location of Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) signs when they head down to the beach.

Local witness Rhonda Westerberg said she heard the woman call out and saw that someone was in the water because their kayak was sideways.

“Then we saw the other two kayaks who were probably 50m away in different directions heading toward the kayak that had capsized,” she said.

Ms Westerberg said she saw the shark trawling up and back fairly close to shore for almost 30 minutes just after 10am, following the incident.

There have been no official reports of shark activity in the area on Friday.