Off-Duty Lifeguard Bitten by Shark While Surfing Saved After He Was Spotted Floating with a ‘Big Red Stain Around Him’

A lifeguard in Hawaii is recovering after being bitten by a shark while surfing near Kauai on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Kauai Ocean Safety lifeguard Chance Swanson, 33, was surfing with friends at a spot known as the Middles when the attack occurred. After his friends returned to shore, Swanson stayed in the water alone.

Shortly afterward, a bystander noticed something was wrong and alerted lifeguards, according to Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau Chief Kalani Vierra, who spoke with WBTW.

“The lifeguards looked with binoculars and noticed that Chance was floating on his back with a big red stain around him,” Vierra said. “They went out immediately, and obviously they noticed that he was attacked by a shark, and they put on a tourniquet right away.”

According to a county news release, Swanson was attacked near the Pine Trees surf break around 3:10 p.m. local time. First responders treated him at the scene as he drifted in and out of consciousness and went into shock, Vierra told WBTW.

He was taken to Wilcox Medical Center and later transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for further care. A GoFundMe page was created to help cover his medical expenses. Swanson has already undergone surgeries to repair an artery in his calf and to fix his tibia bone.

Authorities have not confirmed what type of shark was involved in the attack.

Just over an hour later, a 3- to 4-foot reef shark was spotted at Poipu Beach, prompting officials to close the area and post “Shark Sighted” and “No Swimming” signs. Hanalei Bay remained closed as of Friday morning, Nov. 7, due to continued shark sightings.

Swanson’s mother, Rose Keaweamahi-Hoovler, told WBTW that her worst fear as a mother of three sons was realized when she learned her son had been bitten.

“I thought he was dead because he lost so much blood,” she said. “Four of the doctors said without the tourniquets, Chance wouldn’t be here — those lifeguards saved his life.”

Speaking to Hawaii News Now, she described receiving the call as “the worst news a mother can receive,” adding, “I started panicking and just went straight to Wilcox Hospital.”

Swanson’s brother Tyler called him a “kind-hearted soul” who finds joy in simple things.

“He’s really passionate about the little things — going out for a surf, riding his dirt bike with me, or just being out in nature,” he told Hawaii News Now. “It’s very unfortunate, but I know he’s strong-willed and will pull through.”

Keaweamahi-Hoovler expressed deep gratitude to the Kauai community for their support.

“I just want to say thank you to the lifeguards on Kauai who saved my son. Without them, he wouldn’t be here,” she said.

On the GoFundMe page, she described her son as “a well-respected lifeguard and surfer, and one of the humblest people you will ever meet,” adding that he “embodies the true spirit of Aloha — always happy and smiling.”