Fundraiser for RI Surfer who Lost Leg in Shark Attack Raised $23k in One Day

Friends of Colin Cook, a surfer who moved from Rhode Island to Hawaii to chase his dream of building surfboards, is recovering at the hospital after being attacked by a shark while surfing in Hawaii in Friday.

“He was laughing a little at some jokes but couldn’t talk much. Sounded pretty rough on the phone but he is doing well,” said Cook’s friend, Brendan Prior, in a post on the GoFundMe website. “His whole family and friends are blown away by the donations. Thank you all.”

The donations, totaling about $23,500 early Monday, was raised by 320 people in just one day.

Cook lost most of one of his left leg and serious hand injuries after the shark attack, which could have resulted in Cook losing his life if it weren’t for his valiant effort to stay alive by punching the shark repeatedly before it let go and he was helped to shore.

The road to recovery will be long and hard and friends of Cook know that he will do everything it takes to surf again. Recovery will also likely be expensive, since the cost of rehabilitation and prosthetic limbs can be high.

“Colin Cook is the toughest person we know but the financial strain of this hardship promises to be great. Our goal is for your donations to aid in his recovery and a badass prosthetic limb to ensure he gets back in the water soon!”Prior said.

Cook has been a positive role model for many people over the years, Prior said, who grew up in Tiverton along with Cook.

Cook moved to Hawaii after graduation to work for JC Surfboards as an intern.

Honolulu EMS spokeswoman Shayne Enright said in a release that the attack happened near the “Leftovers” surfing spot, which is close to the well-known Banzai Pipeline area.