New Smyrna Beach: A 40-year-old surfer was bitten by a shark off the coast of New Smyrna Beach on Sunday, in a chilling reminder of why the Florida shoreline holds its title as the “Shark Bite Capital of the World.”
Matt Bender, a resident of Winter Park, was surfing around 3 p.m. when a shark bit his right forearm, according to Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue officials. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover, friends confirmed on social media.
“His hand was NOT bitten off — he’s doing good considering, but he was injured and needs our support and prayers right now,” they wrote in a public Facebook post alongside an image of Bender in a hospital bed, his arm bandaged and casted.
What Kind of Shark Was It?
The exact species of the shark remains unknown, but experts note that spinner sharks, blacktip sharks, and bull sharks are commonly seen in the area’s waters. All are known to frequent shallow surf zones, often in proximity to swimmers and surfers.
Despite the risks, New Smyrna Beach remains a popular spot among wave riders for its consistent surf. Shark encounters are so common that many surfers knowingly take the risk, citing the thrill and conditions as worth the danger.
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Shark Attacks at New Smyrna Beach: A Troubling Pattern
New Smyrna Beach has long been recognized for its unusually high number of shark incidents. According to the International Shark Attack File, the beach has recorded 361 unprovoked attacks since 1837, the highest in the world.
Between 2010 and 2024, the beach also reported 12 surf-related fatalities. In June 2025, marine safety analysts from Tideschart ranked New Smyrna Beach as the most dangerous beach in the United States, citing not only sharks but the area’s exposure to hurricanes and sudden lightning strikes.
Just last month, a surfer was grazed by a spinner shark that leapt from the water and headbutted him mid-wave. And in a tragic unrelated incident, a man was killed by a lightning strike while on his honeymoon at the same beach, highlighting the area’s weather risks.
Summer Risks Rise with Warmer Waters
As summer temperatures warm the Atlantic, shark activity tends to increase, especially near sandbars and inlets where fish are abundant. Experts warn that while most shark encounters are non-fatal, they are not entirely avoidable — especially in regions with a known history of activity like New Smyrna Beach.
Authorities advise beachgoers to remain cautious, avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, and stay in groups when possible.
