Sharks sink teeth into 2 surfers in Volusia

The surf has calmed down enough for surfers to safely ride the waves -- or so they thought.

For the third and fourth time this year, a shark has bitten surfers off the Volusia County coast.

New Smyrna Beach is known the “shark bite capital of the world,” because of the large number of juvenile sharks that mistakenly bite surfers and swimmers in the murky water.

The first incident happened just after 9 a.m. Friday in front of The Minorca condominium complex, near the Ponce Inlet jetty.

According to Volusia County Beach Patrol, the surfer was in the water, when a shark bit him on the leg, near his hip.

The man declined an ambulance ride, and instead took a private vehicle to the hospital.

The surfer’s injuries were not life-threatening, as is often the case with shark bites in Volusia County.

Officials said they believe the victim will need a few stitches and a tetanus shot.

The second incident happend just before noon near Ponce Inlet near the jetty. A surfer was bitten in the hand by a shark. The Coast Guard was able to bandage the man up and he was not transported to the hosptial.