It’s just past 6am on Queensland’s Gold Coast and already dozens of keen locals have wasted no time hitting the waves.
Cutting a lonely figure on the water’s edge is long-time surfer Billy O’Leary, who pauses briefly before paddling out to his mates to take in the sheer beauty of another new day, looking to the heavens and counting his many blessings.
It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since the popular Mermaid Beach local was savagely mauled by a monster three-metre shark – a day, he’s not afraid to admit, will forever define him.
“I feel blessed to have survived and am proud of what I’ve accomplished since that happened.
“I’m one of the lucky ones who gets to live to tell my story – because sadly, not everyone does,” Billy, now 31, shares exclusively with Woman’s Day.
Billy O’Leary was savagely mauled by a monster three-metre shark years ago.
(Image: Supplied)It was March 20, 2012, around 5pm at nearby Nobbys Beach when young Billy, who was studying engineering at the time at Griffith University, hit the waves for a quick surf with best mate Tyson Kolkka.
What came next is the stuff horror movies are made of – except this was real. Falling out of a wave, Billy crash-landed on the back of a giant bull shark.
“I felt his jaws lock onto my legs, and he was thrashing me around like a rag doll.
“I only survived because of Tyson, who raised the alarm, and the amazing local lifeguards – they literally saved my life,” recalls Billy, who is now a qualified engineer.
“Most days I think I’ve come through this reasonably unaffected, until the unimaginable happens, like the recent fatal attack at Sydney’s Little Bay, and all those memories come flooding back,” he says.
“I feel such deep sadness for the victim, Simon Nellist, and my heart goes out to his poor family.
“I just wish they got the same happy ending I’ve been given. He was about to get married, and like me, had his whole life ahead of him – sometimes life just isn’t fair.”
A decade since his attack, the Woman’s Day team catch up with Billy – and he can’t wait to introduce his two great loves – wife of two years, Katrina, and their precious boy, 11-month-old Mikey.
“We met in 2014, and it sounds cheesy, but she’s truly my soulmate. And as for this little fella – he’s simply the light of our lives,” beams the new dad.
For Katrina, 26, life could not get any more perfect. “Billy is an amazing man, and an even better dad – he’s a real natural!” she says proudly.
Billy with wife of two years, Katrina, and their precious boy, 11-month-old Mikey.
(Image: Supplied)“He’s so patient, and he takes his time, every moment of the day, to guide Mikey through the ropes of life – he’s the best possible role model for our son.
“His sweet nature has been very grounding for us all, and I suspect he’s been a kind and nurturing soul since the day he entered this world!” smiles Katrina, who works in childcare.
“Billy’s recovery is nothing short of astonishing – both mentally and physically.
“What happened to him is always in the back of my mind, especially now with Mikey, because my number-one priority is always to protect our little family,” she says.
WATCH: How to reduce your risk of shark attack. Story continues after video.
“But he’s so confident in the water, and seeing the joy it brings him far outweighs those concerns.”
And like many other victims and their families, Billy does not support the killing of sharks. “I’m no expert, but we’re in their natural habitat,” he explains.
“These attacks are generally a case of mistaken identity – they think we’re marine life. I’m all for strict surveillance procedures, and reliable shark deterrents – anything else is just plain senseless.”
Meanwhile, Billy is back on the beach, building sandcastles with his little boy, knowing that whatever happened here 10 years ago will never stop them from making many more precious memories together.
“I’ve already had Mikey in the shallow waves on the board, and no surprise – he’s fearless!” boasts the doting dad.
Like many other victims and their families, Billy does not support the killing of sharks.
(Image: Supplied)“My scars from the attack are like a badge of honour, and something to show Mikey as he gets older as a reminder how hard his daddy fought to be here.
“It’s as though I gave it everything that day to survive knowing I had him and his beautiful mum to look forward to.
“I’m one of the lucky ones, but for those who weren’t so fortunate, and to their families, I’ll always make sure you’re never forgotten.”
