OCEANSIDE (KGTV) - It’s been nine months of physical therapy since a great white shark attacked Keane Webre-Hayes.
“My love of the ocean is much more than my fear of sharks.” Webre-Hayes tells 10News. He’s been determined to get back into the ocean. While it’s been a long process, he finally made it out spearfishing.
Josh Fleming owns Meric Spearfishing in Oceanside, he has been helping get Webre-Hayes ready to dive back into the ocean.
“He gave me a gift certificate saying whatever it costs and he got me all geared up.” Fleming gave Webre-Hayes a new diving suit, speargun and other gear to help him prepare for his spearfishing adventures.
Webre-Hayes was attacked by the great white shark during his first time lobster diving.
He underwent hours of surgery, got one thousand stitches and has continued months of physical therapy. He’s been through intensive therapy at Equinox and Nakoa in Carlsbad.
“I love the ocean it’s my second home basically.” Webre-Hayes tells 10News.
The shark broke the top of his humorous, tore off his rotator cuff, broke the scapula in three different places and he’s missing parts of his deltoid and lateral muscles.
Webre-Hayes tells 10News, “It was a gnarly bite and its crazy that I’m going to be throwing out the first pitch at the Padres game.”
Before spearfishing came baseball. He was a left-handed pitcher until his left side was attacked back in September. Nine months later, he’s living out his dream of throwing out the first pitch at the Padres game Tuesday night.
“My wish came true just didn’t find the best way to get it.” Webre-Hayes is looking forward to the evening surrounded by his team from Rady Children’s, his physical therapists and Fleming.
