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Covering 160 miles of Oregon coast travel: Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.

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Oregon Man Beats Away Shark Attack with Surfboard

(Florence, Oregon) – A Eugene man was bitten by a shark in waters just off Florence - on the central Oregon coast - Tuesday night, suffering several tears in his foot.

Tom Larson was surfing near the south jetty when he felt something grab his foot, saying it felt like a vise or a bear trap bearing down on him. It began shaking him, and Larson said he soon realized it was a shark when he saw the fin.

Larson said adrenaline took over and he repeatedly hit the shark with his surfboard until the fish let go. He immediately started screaming “Shark! Shark!” in an attempt to alarm his friends and get them out of the water.

He was able to paddle his way back to shore. He was treated at Peace Harbor Hospital in Florence and then released.

Now on crutches, Larson says he is not in much pain, feeling more pressure in his white, bandaged foot. He has eight holes in his foot, resulting in 35 stitches. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Sharks are sometimes seen a little more often from September through March. A man surfing in the cove at Seaside suffered a similar attack last year about this time, also smacking the shark on the nose until it let go.

Shark attacks in these cold waters are quite rare, however. Still, the episode has reportedly spooked a few surfers in the Florence area from returning to the waters for a while.

Larson plans to continue surfing.

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BREATHTAKING CLIFFTOP IN NEWPORT

STARFISH POINT is located on the Central Oregon Coast - in Newport - and offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. At Starfish Point, every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
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Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites, 1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people. Rent our entire property for 20-26. All units close to beach, river and Broadway St.
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In Awe of AstoriaASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history
Serenity in SeasideSEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches
Cavort in Cannon BeachCANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca
Annihilating  Beauty of Nehalem BayNEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway
Time Trip Around Tillamook BayTILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town
Triple the Pleasure in 3 CapesTHREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City
Lovely Lincoln CityLINCOLN CITY & THE CORRIDOR OF MYSTERY
Miles & miles of unbroken beaches, Cascade Head, Neskowin and many manmade attractions
Divine Depoe BayDEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales
Nature in NewportNEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
Staggering Seal RockWALDPORT / SEAL ROCK
Pristine, even secretive sands and wild geologic landmarks
Aargh, there's no alliteration with Yachats - but it IS unbelievableYACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
Unsurpassable Upper LaneUPPER LANE COUNTY
25 miles of deserted beaches & oodles of wonders
Fine Times in FlorenceFLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes