Surviving the Shark ─ How a Brutal Great White Attack Turned a Surfer into a Dedicated Defender of Sharks

The inspirational survival story that the Los Angeles Times calls “a gripping account.”

In Surviving the Shark, Jonathan Kathrein describes his incredible shark attack experience. The story begins with the eerie moments just before the attack, when something smashes into Kathrein’s hand as he paddles on his board, waiting for a wave off Stinson Beach in northern California. Realizing it is probably a shark, Kathrein furiously tries to paddle toward shore, where he sees some of his friends on the beach. But it is too late, as the great white returns, slams into him, then grabs his leg and pulls him underwater, thrashing him back and forth.

How Kathrein is able to escape and make his way to shore, despite his horrific wounds, is nothing short of amazing. But that’s just the beginning, as he now faces months of physical and mental rehabilitation. Gradually, with the help of his family and friends, Kathrein makes a recovery. Today, Kathrein gives lectures on shark conservation and avoiding shark attacks. In this book, he not only writes of his ordeal, but also delves into shark behavior and explains his desire to spread shark awareness.