Kayakers Have Close Encounter with Large Shark
- A couple of Bay Area kayakers had a close encounter with a large shark near Half Moon Bay.
- The encounter was captured on video while they were fishing.
- The incident highlights the potential risks of interacting with marine wildlife.
A pair of kayakers in the Bay Area experienced a startling encounter with a shark while fishing off the coast of Half Moon Bay last week. Ian Walters, a teacher at Oakland's Head-Royce School, was filming his friend during their outing near Pillar Point Harbor, close to the renowned Mavericks Beach, when a shark began to follow them. The moment was captured on video, showcasing the tension and surprise of the situation. In the footage, Walters can be heard checking in with his friend as the shark circles nearby. "You all right?" he asks, to which his friend responds, "Yeah, I'm just gonna start moving in." Walters later reflected on the incident, expressing gratitude that the shark did not attack, describing the experience as surreal rather than frightening. He noted that the shark followed them for several minutes before they managed to steer it away towards a group of seals. Walters shared the video with shark enthusiasts online, where many speculated that the shark was likely a great white, measuring approximately 14 feet in length. The encounter left Walters in awe, as he admitted he never expected to witness such a close interaction with a shark. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters, particularly in popular recreational areas.