Jenna Veal, a member of his swimming team, was behind Mr Adams when she saw him attempt to take on the shark.
“He punched it in the face. He punched it in the nose,” she said. “I do know he had a gash on his hand from a shark’s tooth.”
Returning to the beach two weeks after the attack, Mr Adams said: “It’s emotional being here, without question … I have a beautiful community to lean on and I’m very thankful.”
Experts believe Del Mar beach has become a nursery for young great white sharks.
Researchers with California State University have identified about 60 of the creatures in the area since 2020.