Our Founder’s Story: Shanan Worrall
Shanan Worrall never set out to become an expert on shark behaviour—but life had other plans. A seasoned commercial abalone diver from Esperance, Western Australia, Shanan’s journey took a dramatic turn in 2013 after a harrowing encounter with one of the ocean’s most feared predators.
While diving with his friend and fellow spearfisherman Greg Pickering, Shanan witnessed a great white shark attack—gripping Greg headfirst up to his waist. Thanks to Greg’s protective gear and Shanan’s quick response with lifesaving first aid, Greg survived. But the experience left a deep emotional impact on Shanan.
Unable to return to the ocean, even standing knee-deep would trigger uncontrollable anxiety. He eventually relocated to Margaret River in search of a new beginning. But just six weeks later, tragedy struck again—a close friend, Chris Boyd, was fatally attacked by a shark while surfing at a nearby break.
Determined to overcome the trauma, Shanan sought help for PTSD and began rebuilding his connection to the sea. In 2016, an idea sparked: he drew a pair of eyes on the back of his wetsuit, mimicking nature’s defence mechanisms to deter sharks. Encouraged by his fiancée and backed by advice from marine scientists, professional divers, and elite surfers, this simple concept grew into Shark Eyes—a product line designed to reduce the risk of shark encounters.
Shanan gradually returned to surfing and went on to win Tube of the Year at the 2017 World Surf League Big Wave Awards. His journey from trauma to triumph has since shaped him into a respected water safety advocate, keynote speaker, and apnea trainer. Alongside renowned ocean photographer Russell Ord, he now teaches others how to build mental and physical resilience in extreme marine environments.
“I love what we’re building—Shark Eyes, the training, the education. I can see myself at 60, heading out to The Right to help surfers stay safe and make it home.”
Shanan’s story is a testament to the power of purpose, courage, and innovation in the face of adversity.
The Story Behind Shark Eyes
It started with survival.
In 2013, veteran abalone diver Shanan Worrall experienced the unthinkable. While diving off the coast of Esperance, Western Australia, he witnessed a great white shark attack his close friend, Greg Pickering. The shark bit Greg headfirst up to his waist.
Miraculously, Greg survived—thanks to his dive gear and Shanan’s quick response with lifesaving first aid. But for Shanan, the emotional scars ran deep.
“I couldn’t even stand knee-deep in the water without breaking down.”
After the incident, Shanan relocated to Margaret River, trying to reset. Just six weeks later, tragedy struck again—another friend, surfer Chris Boyd, was killed by a shark nearby.
Turning Fear Into Innovation
Haunted but determined to return to the ocean, Shanan started looking for a solution. In 2016, he and a mate siliconed a pair of eyes on the back of their wetsuits to bring comfort whilst diving—a mimicry tactic inspired by nature, designed to deter predators.
It helped to ease their minds and anecdotally from what thane had seen and experienced diving, they believed it worked. Shanan and his wife begun their journey into shark science and discovered man had successfully done this on land and deterred predators. After much research and with support from marine scientists, shark experts, elite divers, and surfers, the idea evolved into a full product line: Shark Eyes—gear designed to reduce the risk of shark attacks and help people feel safer in the water.
From Trauma to Triumph
Shanan eventually conquered his fear and returned to big-wave surfing. In 2017, he won Tube of the Year at the World Surf League Big Wave Awards.
Today, he’s more than a surfer—he’s a keynote speaker, apnea training coach, and ocean safety advocate. He now teaches others how to perform under pressure in extreme conditions, alongside renowned photographer Russell Ord.
I love what we’ve built—Shark Eyes, premium gear, the training, the education. I can see myself at 60, still pumping out premium hardware and driving out to The Right, keeping people safe running water safety.”
