The still water of Lake Illawarra looked benign enough yesterday but for Windang shark attack victim Steven Fogarty it is the stuff of nightmares.
Mr Fogarty, 24, said he had already dreamed about his shocking experience, which took place as he snorkelled beneath the Windang Bridge on Monday morning.
"But at least I'm alive to tell the story," he said. "I'm counting my blessings."
Mr Fogarty received about 40 puncture wounds to his calf, as well as razor-like cuts on his fist from fighting off the predator.
Yesterday he met the Illawarra Mercury at the scene of the attack, which is thought to have involved a 1.5m bull shark. Accompanied by family members, he gazed out at the empty waters which were ominously quiet.
"I came down last night with some friends for a few minutes," Mr Fogarty said. "It made the hairs on the back of my arms stand up a bit. It was a bit scary but looking out there now you'd think there's nothing that can hurt you.
"I was pretty restless last night. I didn't sleep a great deal, I laid back and counted my blessings. I had a nightmare as soon as I fell asleep and then that kept me awake. I felt like I was stuck in a dream. I was screaming for help and there was no-one there to help - it was just like yesterday."
Mr Fogarty's cries for help were ignored by a number of people passing by on boats and over the bridge. He was eventually rescued by Koonawarra fisherman Pete Holm, who hauled him out of the water and onto his boat.
"My parents have always taught me it's not hard to say hello and to give help if you're asked for it. Yesterday everybody just turned their back on me. If (Mr Holm) hadn't stopped, I don't know if I could have swam back and whatever it was would have still been there somewhere," Mr Fogarty said.
Despite the terrifying events, Mr Fogarty insists he will continue to swim and snorkel in the lake.
"I will go back in the lake but not at the moment," he said.
"I've done it my whole life. You've just got to understand (sharks) are there and you're swimming in their backyard."
However, he said he would no longer be taking his 10-year-old cousin Reece Pulo on any snorkelling expeditions.
"He normally comes with me but I wouldn't let him go now," he said.
Wife Amanda knows better than to try and deter her husband from returning to the lake.
"I want him to go back in the water," she said.
Mr Fogarty's mother, Julia, also of Windang, said Steven's father, John, would also continue to swim in the lake.
"(Sharks) won't bother him but I think (Steven and his father) will go out together now. I will worry when they go out,"she said.
Mr Fogarty is due to return to Shellharbour Hospital today for a check-up.
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