A local surfer and surfboard shaper was attached by a Great White Shark Christmas Eve around 1pm at Tillamook Head in Seaside, Oregon. 36-year-old Brian Anderson was surfing with friends when he felt something grab his right leg. Anderson managed to get away by holding on to his surfboard with his left hand and punching the shark on its nose with his right when it appeared out of the water staring directly at him. He can recount seeing the white underbelly and the gray marks on its head. Anderson paddled to the shore where he was carried off the beach by 3 others until the ambulance arrived.

Researchers are saying that the 10-12 foot long shark may have been an adolescent as it didn't complete the attack but rather let go of Anderson when it was struck.

Anderson moved from the Seattle area to the North Coast with his wife of 11 years, Lynnet Anderson and their 3 children, Stephen Boes, 19, Alex Boes, 17 and Christian Anderson, 10, five years ago to focus on his profession of shaping boards. He has custom shaped over 450 boards during his career, his line, Brian Anderson Designs can be found at Seaside Surf Shop and Perfect Wave in Seattle. He is set to open a new manufacturing shop in early 2006 specializing in epoxy resin, expanded bead foam and extruded Styrofoam, all of which he has been working with for over 15 years. In his spare time, Anderson is a painter, caters for Martin Hospitality, surfs as much as possible and enjoys snowboarding.

As a result of the attack, Anderson received over 70 stitches and a possible broken bone but is expected to make a full recovery. He says he will continue to shape surfboards and is anticipating getting back into the water as soon as possible.

Currently, Brian's medical bills have exceeded $8,500. The Anderson family does not have insurance to cover the hospital bills so they are asking for help from the local surfing community to defray these costs. As a service to the Anderson family, Christian Surfers of Oregon is accepting donations on their behalf. Donations can be sent to Christian Surfers of Oregon at 954 SE Jetty Ave., Lincoln City, OR 97367. Please memo checks to 'Brian Anderson Fund'. Donations can be made securely online as well, at www.christiansurfers.com. Type 'Lincoln City, OR - Brian Anderson' under the comments section.