Teenager Kirra-Belle Olsen was bitten by a 1 metre shark this (Friday) morning around 6.30am, while surfing Avoca beach, NSW, Australia. Just north of Sydney, the area is home to current ASP World Tour surfers Ace Buchan and Matt Wilkinson.

“So this morning I was surfing and I got my first wave and as I got back on my board a shark came up and bit my foot 3 times and tried to pull me under,” Kirra-Belle posted on her Instagram account.

“I just thought it was someone grabbing my foot trying to scare me but it wasn’t. I paddled in screaming cause I didn’t know what to do.”

The 13-year-old surfer from Copacabana reportedly made her way back to shore and was taken to Gosford Hospital. The local council has since closed Avoca and North Avoca beaches.

A Surf Life Saving NSW spokesperson has confirmed the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter had been called in to look for the shark, the species of which is as yet undetermined.

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World’s sharkiest surf zones
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