For eight years, he has told his story hundreds of times, but he repeats it without a sign of fatigue. “I put myself in other people’s shoes, it’s not every day you meet a guy who has been attacked by a shark. It’s a bit of a phobia for everyone, because Jaws. Obviously, there are questions. » Born in Saint-Pierre on the island of Reunion, Laurent Chardard arrived in mainland France in 2012, aged 17, with his high school diploma in his pocket and his surfboard under his arm. Ironically, it was the shark that forced him to flee his native island.
“Since 2010, with the “shark crisis”, surfing has become more complicated. I said to myself: “I might as well go to France somewhere more peaceful.” sure [sûr].“Especially because in Reunion I couldn’t do the studies I liked”informs to World the swimmer, competing, on Tuesday, September 3, in the 50 m butterfly (category S6) at the Paralympic Games.
It leaves the Aquitaine coast once or twice a year to return to the gentleness of the Indian Ocean, putting surfing on hold until the day when shark protection nets are deployed off Boucan Canot beach in the north-west of the island. On 27 August 2016, the waves are around 3 metres high, the red flame is lit, but the conditions are tempting for surfers at this popular spot.
Right leg and arm amputated
The session is coming to an end. Lying on his bodyboard, Laurent Chardard begins to paddle towards the top, where the wave breaks when a greyish-brown mass grabs him and drags him to the bottom. He struggles with his left arm as he punches what turns out to be, according to the bite marks, a bull shark.
When he surfaces, he sees that his right arm is missing and his left thumb is half torn off. “My brain doesn’t think too much, reflexes take over. I scream “shark, shark!” Everyone gets out of the water.” Trapped in the surf zone, he tells himself that he won’t have the strength to ride the wave with enough momentum to reach the edge. Despite the pain, he doesn’t panic. He decides to return to the top and wait for help on the high seas.
The shark is not finished with its task. It pulls him back, this time by his right leg. Once again, the young man manages to free himself. A lifeguard on a jet ski puts an end to the nightmare. On the eve of his 21st birthday, Laurent Chardard wakes up with his right leg and arm amputated.
“The good thing about my attack is that I didn’t change anything, I just kept going exactly the same. I think that’s what helped me get over the accident.”says.
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