Charlie Verco, an experienced paddleboarder, is credited with helping save a woman after she is attacked by a white shark at Coogee Beach in Sydney. Multiple outlets report that the 35-year-old victim is mauled near the shoreline on Saturday morning. Verco, who was training at the time, hears a swimmer shouting “shark” and immediately paddles toward the woman. Accounts describe him reaching the victim in the water, grabbing hold of her, and bringing her back toward shore.
The articles also describe the attack as severe, with reports of significant blood in the water. Verco later recounts that he could not fight the shark directly, but focuses on physically holding and stabilising the woman until help and safety could be reached. Several sources note that he has seen only one shark larger than the one involved in the incident. Verco’s training schedule is linked to competition preparations, including upcoming world championships in Hawaii.
