Swan River shark attack: South Perth woman Georgina Smith opens up about encounter near Black Wall Reach

A South Perth woman has spoken out after a terrifying encounter with a shark in the Swan River on Saturday morning.

Georgina Smith was out paddling around 8.15am near Black Wall Reach when what’s believed to be a bull shark took a massive bite out of her canoe, knocking her into the water.

The 35-year-old — who is a member of the Hurricane Outrigger Canoe Club — was training for a national title when the incident occured.

“I thought it was a dolphin, it wasn’t until I got back and saw the teeth marks that I thought ooh, ok, it might have been, not a dolphin,” Ms Smith told 7News.

“The other sounds all kind of disappear and all I remember is that bang.

“You’ve got to get action and going or else I’d still be in the river being chopped liver.”

Ms Smith was able to wave over a man in a nearby dinghy who drove her back to her club.

While the shark interaction won’t deter her from getting back out on the water and resume training, Ms Smith says she won’t be going anywhere near Black Wall Reach again.