A Shark Bit My Leg Off - So I Took Up Surfing | BRAND NEW ME
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
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A young South African actor took up surfing - after having his right leg bitten off by a great white shark. Caleb Swanepoel, 26, of Cape Town, South Africa, was a young acting student with a love of the outdoors when, at the age of 20, his life changed forever. Bodysurfing in the sea during a family holiday, he was attacked by a great white shark, which pulled him underwater and severed his right leg above the knee. He was able to swim to shore with the help of his brother Sandy before being airlifted to hospital. Amazingly Caleb was on crutches within three days and spent a mere 10 days in hospital - going back into the ocean to conquer his fears only three weeks after the attack. Caleb started surfing as part of his physical therapy and was invited to the first ever South African Adaptive Surfing Championships - where he ended up winning his category, earning a spot to represent South Africa at the World Adaptive Surfing Games. And despite the trauma of Caleb’s shark attack, the para athlete is at pains to stress how happy he is to have survived - and to be able to continue to compete. He said: “Something I take away from my shark attack is to value what you’ve been given. I think a lot of the time we take for granted our bodies, I want to show people that your disability doesn’t define you - it’s just part of you.”
Follow Caleb’s journey on Instagram at:
/ calebswanepoel
To donate to Caleb’s fundraiser for a new prosthetic leg visit:
www.backabuddy...
Videographer: Rees Lewis Thomas
Producers: Tom Midlane, Charles Richards
Editor: Hailey Wang
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I admire this guy and I understand I am disabled but I never let my disability define me and I simply lived a different reality, Just this lovely person is doing
I learned from one of my sir who taught us in a wheelchair, don't say you're disabled but differently able.
@@anandygittens268 love this 👍
These types of videos always reminds me to be positive
It also reminds to never swim so far out in the ocean just to body surf. 70-80 meters out just to body surf. It’s unnecessary.
You’re allowed to be sad.
@@lexdraws1729 I usually don’t like saying this word but, This. Feelings aren’t a competition
Wow I don't think I could go back in the water let alone surf, hes amazing
“Your disability doesn’t define you, it’s just a part of you.” I needed to hear that. I have one and a lot of the time it feels like it’s taken over my life.
But he's smiling in every single pic that's something to admire
In the hospital photos he is always with a huge smile... thats inspiring!
When life gives u hundred reasons to cry , show life that u have 1000 reasons to smile and be happy 😊
One bad chapter in ur life doesn't mean that ur story's over, turn the page instead of closing the book.
Some people just exist, but this man is living his life ,never giving up 💯
So people out there who are constantly complaining about life (I'm not rude guys 💯) instead of hating ur life, love it.
Everyone are fighting their own battles, only the problems are different.
This man is beyond words. He didn't giving up
I hate this toxic positivity. It’s like y’all don’t know what mental illness and fear can do to a lot of people. Trauma actually rewrites your brain
@@lexdraws1729 That doesn't mean positivity is negative .
@@lexdraws1729 I think comment was about approach to life in general. Yes, mental illness makes it extra difficult but you always have a choice to try to ignite the spark within yourself or let it die. Everyone has different problems but if you are trying instead of giving up (loving instead hating) you might get over them eventually. That's how I understood it
He is indeed a survivor!!
This is what true grit and determination means. More power to you!!!
What a handsome guy!
I thought the same thing!
True
He really is!!! His bone structure is gorgeous🥰
His so inspirational😭 ey es mooi maneer Swaneopoel😍😃...this is a testimony that never give up.
Translation:" you're handsome Mr Swaneopoel"
Proud South African 🇿🇦
What a nice inspiration story!✨
I love his outlook. I don't think I'd be nearly as strong, so I admire it!
You are great soul...."I think a lot of the time we take for granted our bodies".....True... young, handsome, energetic man👍
We need more story like this, so inspiring. Not the sugar baby story or insane plastic surgery addict, but sometimes those stories kinda intersting.
What a beautiful guy and so positive in his recovery!
These are the kind of stories I like and enjoy watching on this channel!
Wow this guy is strong. I’m surprised he wasn’t traumatized by the accident. Good on this guys for continuing doing what he loves after what happened to him.
You are very brave. Bravo for getting in the water again! Bless you. ❤️🏆
Compared to how many people actually get in the ocean, shark attacks are actually quite low, but it's always amazed me how most of the people who do endure/survive these attacks refuse to let the fear of them keep them out of the water. I don't know if I wouldn't let myself succumb to it, so I've always found their bravery and determination inspiring.
Taking up surfing AFTER he lost his leg. Interesting twist. Well at least now there's something in between him & the sharks. Personally I'd never go back into the ocean.
Thank you, now what happens if he gets attacked again?
@@hueyfreeman9297 Maybe if he loses the other leg he might learn how to surf with two prosthetic legs. Probably become the only one who could do it.
@@hueyfreeman9297 Getting attacked by a shark is like winning in the lottery. You're more likely to have a deadly crash in a car - so I doubt it will happen again.
Wow 2 days after loseing his legs and he stood up. 💪👊🤗
This is an amazing story!! One of my favorites that has been posted on here. He’s truly an incredible person.
Its awesome that he could go back in the water I am deathly afraid of the ocean after watching shark week with my husband and I used to love the Ocean. People need to love and respect the Ocean that is the sharks home and their territory not ours and I think that Surfers and a lot of beach goers know this better than anyone else. what a amazing and strong man....
Such a proud South African right now 😁🇿🇦
I'm happy that he didn't put the whole blame on the shark, he needs to survive too and he was just there at the wrong place at the wrong time
What an inspirational and handsome man! ♡
Excellent that there is a prosthetic for every need and for every sport!
handsome guy 🥰, his bold charisma adds to it.
One word. 5 syllables. Inspirational
Most sharks are cold-blooded. But some sharks, such as the great white shark, are warm-blooded, which enables them to grow and swim faster.
You are a strong guy! Be grateful now🥰
huge respect to this man
He’s more badass with the prosthetic and his determination serves others to see beyond the horizon!
He is really proud of his scar, kudos to him, and imagine the coming generations telling stories of their ancestor who fought a shark with all his might, lost a leg but lived to pass on the legend, the brave one.
Inspiration booster indeed❤️
You definitely turned it to a positive and inspirational message ~ Stay strong and enjoy everything that you do ~ 🤍
I would honestly love to tell people who ask what happened to my leg like
“ oh yeah it got bit off by a shark “
Very resilient figure and good looking! All the best
Caleb, you are so handsome anyway.
Be ready , girls would look after you dude..
He is definitely so brave and so glad shark 🦈 didn’t scare him so amazing 😻
Inspirational and awesome story. Love from Cape Town
Cheers for this I’ve not surfed since I was 15 I lost my left leg after a accident in the British army that was in 2010 I’m 55 now but I’m gonna have a go I live in Devon UK 🇬🇧 so the beach is on my doorstep so to speak thanks again for the share and will give it a good go this year
All the best
Tim
If you know or ever meet this gent, you better not give give him any excuses about anything.....damn stud-man.
Such an inspiration ✊🏼♥️
A South African 🤩🇿🇦
That’s so sad and brave
You just might be Superman, but you are definitely not handicapped! What an inspiration you are too many, including me!
A positive attitude goes a long way
Be grateful and stop taking things for granted! He didn't and look at him go!👏👏👏👏✊👊👊🙏🙏🙏🤩🤩🤩💪👍🦿🦿🦿🦿
Such a hot guy damn
Painful event. I'm shocked he was able to get out of bed after only 4 or 5 days.
Gorgeous man! What a smile at the end of the video.
He is amazing!
so inspiring, 👌💜 so much better than hooked on the look
Such an inspiration 👍
Certified Gold!!!!!
He is so inspiring 👍
He’s awesome
This guy is awesome
Lol my brother would have been like "ok bye"
Surfing is super cool, I’ve wanted to learn ever since I watched the show “Stoked”
such an inspiration!
cool handsome guy!!! Amazing!! Never give up!!
Literally just watched a video about shark diving before finding this one
He is so hot
Bravo pour votre courage
Super cute
I think if that happened to me I'd be afraid to wash my face in the sink, let alone go back into the sea
Man this requires guts
True body positivity and self care
very inspiring!
PARABÉNS vc superar os obstáculos.
what about your ankle mate?how do surf?does the prosthetic have ankle joint that can bounce?i shattered my leg on bike accident back from skating,still have my leg,just cant move my ankle anymore,its lock at 90degree so that i can stand and walk.
I hope hes doing good now that South Africa is in chaos
Muy bien joven luchas por tus sueños todo lo puedes en Cristo Jesús que el de da la fortaleza es el es primero filipenses 4 13 muchísimas bendiciones te saludo un abrazo a la distancia
Omg I’m in love
That sounds excruciatingly painful, how does the body even survive such a thing
This IS what and détermination very.very that and brave👍💅💅💅🇵🇷
he’s very handsome!
" shark bit my leg off " , that is the last thing i ever want to hear
❤❤❤
Oh wow... I don't think I could go back in to the water after that..
Wow ❤🤗😉👍👍
Gosh he's handsome😍
Horrifying. 🥩 🏄🏼♂️🦈... handsome man- he was so lucky given the tremendously powerful shark.
VERY GREAT WILLPOWER
So handsome 🥰
That title!
he cute 😚
The accent! Hilarious
💪💪💟
He’s so fine. Wow
🤩🥰💯‼️❣
finally interesting story
Brave
Shark can't bite my leg because i have no legs.
Cute😍
soon: A shark bite my second leg
😂😂😂😂 aw come on
🤙🤙🤙🤙
hmm hes missing a leg? I hadnt noticed sorry i keep staring at his face