Five shark attack survivors, including a teenager and a mother of three, are sharing their harrowing experiences.
These five strangers share a frightening bond: They all survived shark attacks.
They are now members of an exclusive online support group called Bite Club, and they're sharing their harrowing experiences with each other in person for the first time.
"I don't think this is something that ever leaves you," said Steve Robles.
Robles, a long-distance swimmer and former lifeguard, was attacked in the waters off Manhattan Beach, California, in 2014. The shark tore into his upper back and blood gushed from an artery as he was carried to safety. His back still bears the scars.
Leeanne Ericson was left with a chunk missing from her leg after a great white shark ripped through her wet suit as she swam in San Diego in 2017. She managed to escape by punching it in the eye.
Maria Korcsmaros, a fitness instructor, was swimming in Orange County, California, in 2016 when a shark clamped down on her, biting her stomach and back. She still has scars down the right side of her body.
"I was bit like a hamburger," she said.
Another great white shark tore through 15-year-old Keane Webre-Hayes' face, back and shoulder. Inside Edition was with the teen when he went back into the ocean in June.
Kim Bishop, from California, was kayaking in Hawaii earlier this year when a shark tipped over the kayak and attacked.
"My leg was ripped open," she said.
After their attacks, the survivors were welcomed into Bite Club, an online support club with hundreds of members around the world.
"I feel like we are family already," Bishop said.
A group of swimmers headed out to the water to honor the Bite Club members.
Ericson, who is still recovering, was only able to watch from the shore, while Bishop was returning to the water for the first time in four months. Her fellow Bite Club members cheered her on.
"I did it! I did it!" she said.
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