Shark victim’s tragic Facebook post before the ‘ocean lover’ was mauled to death by a four-metre great white during his daily swim – as his shattered mates pay tribute to 35-year-old dive instructor
- Swimmer killed by four-metre-and-a-half great white off Little Bay beach
- Identified as British expat Simon Nellist, who had been training for ocean swim
- Experienced dive instructor killed in first fatal shark attack in almost 60 years
- Expressed strong views about shark nets and drum lines six months earlier
A swimmer penned a chilling post about shark nets and drum lines months before he was mauled to death by a great white.
Simon Nellist, 35, was training for a charity ocean swim this weekend – which has since been cancelled – when he was attacked from below by the four-metre-long predator at Buchan Point, near Little Bay in Sydney’s east, on Wednesday afternoon.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries has temporarily installed six drumlines between Little Bay and Malabar as part of a shark incident response plan, an issue Mr Nellist felt strongly about.
The experienced ocean swimmer and dive instructor knew of the potential dangers every time he did the swim between the two beaches. It’s understood he did the swim most days.
‘Shark nets and drum lines protect no one and kill all kinds of marine life each year,’ Mr Nellist posted on Facebook six months ago.
Simon Nellist (pictured with his fiancee) was mauled to death by a great white shark
The shark attack victim has been identified at British expat Simon Nellist (pictured) – an experienced ocean swimmer and diver
Six drum lines have temporarily installed between between Little Bay and Malabar. Simon Nellist shared strong views on drum lines just six months ago
Mr Nellist is understood to have family in the UK and a partner in Sydney whom he was about to marry.
He has been remembered by shocked friends as a man who loved adventure and was adored by all of those around him.
‘Everything that is connected to Simon is connected to the ocean,’ friend Della Ross told Seven News.
‘The news hit us like a truck because he was one of the people who make this earth lighter.’
Mr Nellist’s social media feed was littered with photos of him enjoying the ocean and thrill seeking adventures such as skydiving.
He was also an experienced dive instructor who was calm and patient and told his students to respect the ocean.
‘He loved the water, he loved diving,’ Ms Ross added.
Simon Nellist (pictured) loved adventure and was popular in the local diving community
He previously dived at a scuba centre in Kogarah, which was rocked by the drowning of Ms Ross’ son Dmitriy while freediving in Brighton Le Sands four years ago after he got caught in shark nets.
Other friends say Mr Nellist lived in Wolli Creek with his partner and was a regular at the nearby Plus Fitness 24/7 gym.
Friends say Simon Nellist was about to marry the love of his life (pictured together), who he lived with in Sydney
He was training for the Malabar Magic Ocean Swim, which was due to be held on Sunday but has since been cancelled.
‘The organising committee extends our thoughts and prayers to the family of the swimmer who was so tragically taken yesterday,’ event director Robert Lloyd said.
‘Out of respect for the swimmer and his family, and following wide consultation with Randwick Council and experienced, senior Surf Life Saving personnel, we believe that cancelling the 2022 swim is appropriate.’
More than a dozen beaches between Bondi and Cronulla were closed on Thursday but will reopen on Friday after no further shark sightings.
Lifeguards spent the day surveying the beaches on jet skis and used drones to check for shark sightings along the coast.
The Department of Primary Industries also temporarily installed six SMART drumlines between Little Bay and Malabar as part of a shark incident response plan.
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