New South Wales man loses his leg after fighting a 12-foot Great White at Lighthouse Beach. 2 months later, he goes back into the water for redemption

Toby Begg returned to the water on November 25, 2023, for a massive paddle out in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, just two months after a shark attack took his leg. The event marked a return to the ocean for the surfer, who participated in a group tribute honoring Zac Young, a bodyboarder who died in 2013. Kevin Young, the father of the late boy, organized the gathering to celebrate the ocean and the surfing community. More than 600 people showed up, setting a new record for the event.

The path to this moment was incredibly difficult for the 44-year-old former on-call firefighter. Back in August 2023, Begg was surfing at Lighthouse Beach in New South Wales when a twelve-foot Great White shark attacked him.

The encounter was intense and lasted for a long time. NSW Police Chief Inspector Martin Burke noted the severity of the situation, stating, “The reports are that a man has tried to fight this shark for 30 seconds and has then swum himself to shore where he has realized he has sustained significant lower leg injuries.” He also added, “From what I understand, it was a sustained and prolonged attack.”

The shark almost killed the surfer

Begg fought the predator for half a minute before he managed to swim back to the beach. A witness on the scene described the aftermath, noting that his foot had been ripped off and he was bleeding everywhere. Bystanders jumped in to help, using a surfboard leg rope and sticks to stabilize his leg. An off-duty emergency doctor who happened to be on the beach played a critical role by applying a tourniquet to stop the bleeding until paramedics reached the scene.

The injuries were extensive, ranging from his hip down to his calf and lower legs. He was taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital in a critical condition for emergency surgery, where doctors confirmed he lost at least one leg. Medical staff later flew him to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for more procedures to try to save his other leg. His brother-in-law, Chris Lenihan, shared on Facebook that Begg is a skilled builder and a dedicated family man.

A haunting photo taken right before the attack shows how quickly things changed for the surfer. The image captures Begg in the top right corner, floating just meters away from the shark, completely unaware of the danger lurking beneath the surface. He was dragged so far underwater that he lost sight of everything and feared he was going to drown.

Still, Begg returned to redeem himself and the community

The paddle out served as a powerful moment for the community. It brought together hundreds of people, from small children to veteran surfers, all joined by a shared love for the ocean. The turnout of over 600 participants beat the previous record of 512, showing the strength of the surfing community.

Kevin Young explained the purpose of the gathering, saying, “It’s the 10-year anniversary of my son who passed… but this is for all surfers right around the world, or bodyboarders, anyone who loves the ocean, in celebrating the ocean and celebrating each other and community.” Seeing Begg back in the water after such a traumatic event is a testament to his resilience.

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