Lucas Arsenault's extraordinary strength after a shark attack.
SUELTALABARRA Family! In the world of extreme sports, determination and the ability to overcome are admirable qualities. Today, we share the amazing story of Lucas Arsenault , a 27-year-old professional kiteboarder whose resilience has touched the entire community. After a traumatic shark attack that cost him his right leg, Lucas returned to his board in just three months, a testament to exceptional willpower.
But first, I want you to watch some of his videos on YouTube, a channel he's forgotten about for nine years, but which will give you an idea of his international standing.
The Incident: An Unexpected Encounter in the Caribbean
It all happened in late May 2024, during a trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a place Lucas knew well, having taught kitesurfing classes and swum hundreds of times. While snorkeling about a kilometer off the coast, something hit him hard in the chest. When he turned around, he found himself face to face with a shark, which he estimates was between two and three meters long.
The animal latched onto his right knee and began to shake him underwater. Lucas could hear his bones shattering. "My leg was like a biscuit," he recounted, recalling the horror of those 30 seconds that felt like an hour. In an act of pure survival, he managed to poke the shark's eyes, forcing it to let go.
A fight for life and vital support
With adrenaline pumping, Lucas swam desperately toward the boat, where his girlfriend, Jori MacIsaac, acted quickly, improvising a tourniquet. The presence of his father in the group and, miraculously, a doctor with oxygen and a professional tourniquet on shore were crucial factors in his survival. The doctor's calm and the support of his loved ones changed his mindset: dying was no longer an option.
After a nine-hour surgery to amputate his right leg above the knee, Lucas began a period of "dark times" in the hospital. The uncertainty about his future was overwhelming, but he was never alone. Jori, family, and friends stood by him, and the kiteboarding and Prince Edward Island community rallied around fundraising efforts, demonstrating inspiring solidarity.
Returning to the waters: an act of pure gratitude
Lucas's recovery was remarkable, fueled by a positive mindset and an unwavering sense of humor. "I shouldn't have survived that," he jokes, "if you're up against a 1,000-pound tiger shark and you come out like I did, you're pretty happy at the end." With that attitude, he progressed rapidly in his rehabilitation, moving from a wheelchair to crutches and eventually taking his first steps with a prosthetic limb.
At a time he once thought impossible, in early September—just three months after the attack—Lucas returned to kitesurfing. 3 "Only gratitude. Only happiness," he described his feelings. Although the experience was bittersweet, the realization that things would be different lit a new spark for him to continue growing stronger.
A new beginning and no regrets
Lucas has had to adapt to his new reality, even cutting the legs of his wetsuits to accommodate his prosthesis and using different legs for different activities. For him, each of these steps represents a new beginning.
In November, he returned to Turks and Caicos with his family to make peace with the place and make new memories. There, he also proposed to Jori, now his fiancée. Despite everything, Lucas insists he doesn't regret anything that happened. " I lost enough that I don't want to lose any more in my life. I still have a lot of work to do, " he says.
Lucas Arsenault's story is a powerful reminder of the incredible human capacity to overcome adversity and find joy and purpose even after the most traumatic events. His indomitable spirit is an inspiration to all of us in the SUELTALABARRA community.
