California surfer fends off attack by shark

After leg is bitten, she gets away by hitting shark on its tail

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California surfer tells of shark attack
Oct. 21: California surfer Megan Halavais, 20, tells about being attacked by a shark — and how she beat off the big fish that had bitten her.

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updated 9:29 a.m. ET Oct. 21, 2005

BODEGA BAY, Calif. - A surfer received a bad gash Wednesday when a 14-foot shark bit her leg in the waters off northern California and pulled her underwater, authorities said.

Megan Halavais, 20, was paddling into the water off Salmon Creek Beach in Sonoma County around 11 a.m. when the shark attacked her from behind.

Halavais, an experienced surfer, said she got away after she hit the shark on its tail, according to sheriff’s Lt. Roger Rude.

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Halavais, of Santa Rosa, was helped from the water by other surfers. She was taken to a hospital with a bite that stretched from her thigh to her calf, Rude said. She was listed in good condition.

The beach has been the site of several shark attacks in recent years, Rude said. Police believe the shark likely was a great white. They have closed the beach and warned surfers in nearby locations.