A woman knocked off her surfboard by what is believed to have been a shark in Western Australia's south says she feels very fortunate not be injured.
Lily Kumpe, 37, was surfing with her husband at Ocean Beach in Denmark on Wednesday morning when her board was struck, but she was not bitten.
Ms Kumpe said she was lying down on her board when she saw a large black mass.
"I just felt something hit me and I fell off my board," she told ABC radio.
"I don't know for sure that it was a shark.
"It seemed gigantic but we didn't see it."
Ms Kumpe said her husband paddled over immediately and brought them both to shore.
She has bruising on her face where the surfboard hit her and lacerations on her left hand.
"I feel very fortunate I've not been injured - a little shaky still."
Based on the damage to the surfboard, the attack was "very likely" to have been a shark, the Department of Fisheries said, but the size or species could not be determined.
Surf Life Saving WA said there had been a report from the public on Wednesday morning of an unknown species of shark in the area.
The Shire of Denmark has closed the beach for up to 48 hours as a precaution and signs have been erected.
Fisheries is arranging to speak to the woman and officers will continue to monitor the beach and assess any reported sightings over the next few days.
Ms Kumpe said she would definitely be getting back out on the water but didn't know when.
"I know that we'll be surfing again."
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