Hundreds brave the Sydney chill to swim after shark attack

Hundreds braved the winter chill in Sydney on Sunday (June 21) to take part in an ocean swim for locals who were afraid to get back in the water after a recent shark attack.

The 35-year-old victim was swimming about 30 meters (100 feet) from the shore on Saturday (June 13) when she was bitten by a three-to-four-meter-long shark, sustaining serious injuries to her arms and lower left leg. 

Hoping to foster a supportive environment for people to reconnect with the beach and regain confidence, the event was monitored by lifeguards on surfboards and jet skis.

"We haven't been in since the events of last week, so it's really been great to get in with everyone together and feel that sense of safety and the support here," local resident Belinda Cox told Reuters after taking part in the swim.

Coogee, south of iconic Bondi Beach, is symbolic of Sydney's coastal lifestyle. The beaches, which lie east of the city, are famous for their golden sands and dramatic coastal cliffs and draw millions of tourists from around the world every year, making water safety a high-stakes priority for the authorities.

Production: Stefica Bikesh/Reuters