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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Shark bites surfer at Florida's Volusia County beach: Why is it called the ‘shark bite capital of the world'?
A surf instructor was bitten on the foot by a shark at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, marking the fourth shark encounter in Volusia County this year. The incident occurred around noon, resulting in a 'nasty' but non-life-threatening injury. New Smyrna Beach is known as the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World' due to its high number of unprovoked shark attacks. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Emergency vehicles rushed to the scene Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why Volusia County is a hotspot for Shark bites A surfer suffered a 'nasty' injury after a shark bit him on the foot in Florida's New Smyrna Beach on Friday, July 18, 2025. The bite marked the fourth shark encounter in Volusia County. The injury, however, was not a life-threatening one. An 18-year-old was surfing on the beach, also known as the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World.' It's in a Florida city notorious for shark encounters, where the incident took unidentified teen, a surf instructor, according to local NBC affiliate WESH, was at New Smyrna Beach around 12 PM (local time) on July 18, 2025, when the encounter took place, Tamra Malphurs, director of the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, told local outlet FOX the shark bite incident, the surf instructor was rushed to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, Malphurs told FOX 35. The surfer's boss described the injury as 'nasty,' according to WESH. An anonymous eyewitness suggested that several first responders arrived on the scene of the attack, according to PEOPLE. This marks the fourth shark encounter in Florida's Volusia County so far this year, according to the county emergency vehicles and a police car arrived 'pretty quickly' after the surfer was bitten, the bystander told WESH. 'And some of the instructors came and got the lifeguard on the stand here and down.'New Smyrna Beach, a surfing hub south of Daytona Beach, is widely known as the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World,' according to WESH and The Daytona Beach than two weeks before the July 18 attack, a man identified as Matthew Bender was bitten by a shark while surfing in the Florida city, per FOX 35."I felt it clamp down like a bear trap out of nowhere," Bender told the outlet of the attack, which took place on July 6. 'By the time I looked down, it was already gone. I never saw the shark, but it bit really forcefully. It felt like electricity and like extreme pressure.'"And then I think it shook its head. I definitely felt that as it was letting go,' added Bender. 'It was also fast.'There have been 359 'unprovoked' shark attacks recorded in Volusia County since 1882, the most of any Florida county, according to the International Shark Attack File, the Florida Museum of Natural History's database. The next highest is Brevard County, with County 'is conducive toward shark bites' due to a 'confluence of factors,' Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum of Natural History's Florida Program for Shark Research, previously told The Daytona Beach that there are also environmental factors like the nutrients in the region, Naylor told the newspaper in 2024, 'You need a bunch of sharks, and they need to be in the mood to bite things, and you need a bunch of people in the same area at the same time.'Sharks like blacktips and spinner sharks, which are also found in the area, 'are highly piscivorous,' the evolutionary biologist told The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Naylor further explained that their diet typically consists of fish, so when they bite a person, the reaction of the injured individual scares them away. 'If they were bull sharks or tiger sharks,' Naylor said, 'they might stick around a little bit more, and the injuries would be a lot worse.'
New York Post
08-07-2025
- New York Post
Florida surfer attacked in ‘Shark Bite Capital of the World'
A surfer was attacked by a shark on Sunday at a Florida beach aptly nicknamed the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World.' Matt Bender, a 40-year-old from Winter Park, was bitten on his right forearm while surfing on New Smyrna Beach around 3 p.m., Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is on the mend, his friends said. Advertisement 3 Matt Bender, 40, was bitten on the forearm by a shark at New Smyrna Beach — which was named the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World' last year. WFTV9 'His hand was NOT bitten off — he's doing good considering, but he was injured and needs our support and prayers right now,' the friends wrote on Facebook. It's unclear what kind of shark attacked Bender, but spinner sharks, black tip sharks and deadly bull sharks have been spotted frequenting the popular coastal hotspot. Advertisement 3 New Smyrna Beach is known as the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World.' NSBInlet/Instagram The beach, an inlet northeast of Orlando, is often crawling with sharks, but surfers are usually unperturbed and seek out the spot for its consistent waves. In 2024, New Smyrna Beach was named the shark attack capital of the world by the International Shark Attack File, which logged a staggering 361 unprovoked assaults since 1837. Between 2010 and 2024, the beach also reported 12 surf fatalities. Advertisement In June, researchers at Tideschart also concluded that the Florida beach is the most dangerous in the country, not just because of the sharp-toothed predators, but because it sits in the center of a hurricane alley. 3 There have been 12 surf fatalities at New Smyrna Beach since 2010. NSBInlet/Instagram Bender's gnarly attack marks the second shark-related encounter at New Smyrna Beach in the past month as summer kicks into full gear. Darren Kaye, a surfer who frequents the beach, knew he had to be attentive and check the waters while he was out catching waves. He never anticipated he'd have to check the sky above him until a spinner shark headbutted him. Advertisement 'I was just really happy its mouth wasn't open,' he said, noting that he wasn't going to let the incident deter him from the sea. In late June, a newlywed couple at the beach had their honeymoon cut short after the man was killed after being struck by a bolt of lightning in broad daylight. The same strike also indirectly hit two bystanders who were treated at the scene.
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Family Fun for Your Denver Weekend
Sometimes a long weekend suffices for a quick escape, especially given limited PTO, school days and generally busy modern lifestyles that make weeklong vacations hard to squeeze in. If you're looking for a weekend away with the family, this perfect long weekend itinerary in Denver will inspire your family fun. Portions of this trip were hosted. Let us inspire your travels! Sign up for our newsletter now. Why Here: Casa Bonita, a Denver mainstay since the 1970s, featured kitschy decor, cliff divers and somewhat terrible Mexican food. South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker purchased the restaurant and now offer the same nostalgia with a safer, cleaner, tastier venue. What Not to Miss: Although hidden activities abound, the cliff divers really steal the limelight with dive intervals every 20 minutes. So rest easy, eat your burrito, interact with the restaurant characters and catch a show when you can. Where to Eat: Obviously, you've come for some food but the specialty drinks stand out: indulge in at least one! Money Matters: Our group of four (two adults, two kids) spent right around $200 on lunch. We each had a specialty drink and an entree. The sopapillas come free with every reservation! While somewhat expensive for mediocre Mexican food, you pay for dinner and a show when it all shakes out. The arcade and some activities incur a small upcharge. SheBuysTravel Tip: Make reservations 2-4 months in advance – you can only dine here if you have a reservation. Why Here: The Downtown Aquarium, one of several nationwide managed by Landry's (of Rainforest Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp, and several Walt Disney Resort restaurants fame), drew us in with the dive/snorkel program. We likely would skip this stop without the extra in-water program. What Not to Miss: You can actually book snorkeling and scuba diving adventures (which we did) through a local dive shop, A-1 Scuba. In water guides make interacting with cow nose stingrays, guitar fish, jacks and more super chill and fun. All gear is provided and showers are on-site. Where to Eat: Aquarium Restaurant, with a fantastic ambiance and resembling a themed Applebee's in quality, quantity and taste. The drinks really stood out – I recommend the Shark Bite. Quite a juxtaposition: separately, all the ingredients presented nothing special, but the whole experience made for quite a good time. Money Matters: Two snorkelers and two scuba divers cost $700. The price included our aquarium visit and a souvenir t-shirt. The behind-the-scenes scuba and snorkel experience really elevated our aquarium visit. Without this elevated experience, the restaurant might have just been a mediocre, crowded itinerary stop. At the on-site restaurant, drinks, meals, and dessert for four totaled around $250. SheBuysTravel Tip: The in-water programs book fast. Make a reservation a few weeks in advance, at least. You have to do so separately from the aquarium, through the scuba shop. Anyone not in the water will need to purchase admission to the aquarium. The restaurant didn't prove terribly hard to secure reservations, but to do so helps plan for a successful day! Why Here: Meow Wolf boasts several locations throughout the USA, including this one, part art exhibit, part amusement venue. It ranks among those life experiences demanding firsthand experience. Featuring four levels, Convergence Station transports you through areas recalling a frozen glittery land, bright pizzascapes reminiscent of 1990s-era Nickelodeon illustrations, spots feeling intergalactic, and even a laundromat. Sounds accompany the visual experience. Our ten-year-old loved the experience most of all. What not to Miss: Pinpointing what we missed is difficult. During your briefing, you hear that 'no correct way exists to explore' and that 'if you feel lost, you're doing it right.' I would say, you do need to interact by opening doors, pushing buttons, and really immersing yourself in the fun. Where to eat: While a lounge and cafe exist, we opted to eat before visiting Meow Wolf, so we cannot comment much on the food situation. However, after exploring the mind-blowing exhibits and walking through the lounge on our way out, I actually mistook a display of half-eaten food and drink on an abandoned table for art! Money Matters: Reserve an entry time online. For the four of us, ticket prices would have totaled around $200 for an afternoon of adventures in art. Parking costs $10 with plenty of space in a surface lot. SheBuysTravel Tip: Wear comfortable shoes – you'll "feel" the concrete floors as you walk and try to find all the exhibits' nooks and crannies. Why here: Fun for a special dinner or date night, sharing tapas with a small group works perfectly at Linger. This popular restaurant, occupying an old mortuary building, has no kids menu, but the kids enjoyed some "eating adventures" while trying menu items including wagyu sliders and bison kebabs. We ordered several plates and shared them around the table. What not to Miss: The bao bun trio remains my favorite go-to menu item at this spot. A good action plan involves everyone ordering something different and then just sharing bites. The mimosas also delight for a Sunday brunch. You really can't find bad food. Where to eat: You're here to savor Denver's flavors. Maybe let them linger a while… Our server mentioned that the restaurant occupies the part of the building where the hearses parked – which makes sense considering the large garage door-style windows on one wall. Whether seated upstairs or downstairs, no bad spot exists. Money Matters: This dining experience won't break the bank with on-average $20 entrees. Special menus appear at times, and expensive options, like any menu, run $40-$50. Our party of four ate dinner for about $100. SheBuysTravel Tip: You MUST make a reservation if you don't want to stand in the street waiting for an hour. A crowd-pleasing small-batch ice cream joint operates on the street level next door to Linger for a little dessert, if you have any room at all! Why here: The VīB in Denver's artsy River North (RiNo) district offered a super convenient basecamp for our long weekend. Centrally located, about 20 minutes from all the adventures we had planned, and with easy access to the Colorado Rockies games. What Not to Miss: Special events like Trivia and Bingo occur on the rooftop patio (or inside when chilly) – check for information on these free and well-attended events. The energy suits any crowd with a vibe all its own. Where to eat: The food on-site worked perfectly for starting our day and provided a fun spot to chill in the evenings. The hotel features a breakfast and coffee shop for mornings and McDevitt Taco Supply, a cool rooftop patio bar/restaurant. Money Matters: A night here costs around $150-265 depending on season and day of the week. The taco restaurant proves affordable, and you will save in the end by its central location for rideshare costs or even driving and time. SheBuysTravel Tip: Streetside parking exists FREE and limited. About eight coveted parking spots are available; otherwise, easy ramp parking exists. Coors Field: Home of the Colorado Rockies. Catch a tour or see a game during baseball season. I recommend the lobster roll – a bold choice in a landlocked American ballpark, but you won't regret it!Denver Zoo: Lots of exhibits, many newly renovated, and for grown-ups – stands selling cold beers in eco-friendly Big Blue Bear: Near Denver's Convention Center in the heart of downtown. Great photo op but with tricky parking. We made a quick run to the giant azure oso, snapped our selfies, and ran back to the car. You may not want to take my advice on repeating this operation!One Mile High step: At 5,280 feet above sea level, the step on the Denver Courthouse. Great photo op also in downtown. While we were there, one of the biggest protests in Colorado history was taking place, so we didn't go for the picture. Rocky Mountain National Park: 90-minute drive northwest of Denver. Make sure to check the weather, so you're able to get as far up into the mountainous landscape as you can. In 2025, prepare for the usual locations to be unstaffed or have some services Tacos and elote near the airport on Tower Road. I can confirm the delicious nature makes this a perfect stop before flying out. Fun Day Trips From Denver for Epic Colorado AdventuresFun Things to Do in Downtown Denver with KidsFree Things to Do in Denver in WinterIconic Colorado Road Trips for Families The post Family Fun for Your Denver Weekend appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved
