April 4, 2008 Surfer describes shark attack Play video

(NECN/ABC) - Hours after being bitten by a shark in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Joe Giangrasso is still stunned.

"I was so scared man, i didn't know what to do."

His right ankle is heaving bandaged -- the shark left behind a deep gash. It was put back together with so many stitches that doctors told him they lost count.

You can see the holes in the 18-year-old's wetsuit, where the shark bit through the rubber.

"My whole leg was chewed, I was like, no way."

Giangrasso surfs what's known as "The Shark Bite Capital of the World" nearly every day, so it was no surprise to see fins in the water. But, it was still a shock when he came out of a turn on his board and felt the bite.

"I thought he was going to hit me and hold on for a second. When I went to pull out, he clamped on harder and shook his head. I tried to reach grab and push, do whatever I could do, finally he let go."

He'll be out of action for two to three weeks, but he will go back in the water, even though he knows it won't ever be the same.

Reporter Jason Allen of WFTV has the story.