Watch A Huge Great White Leap Directly Behind A Group Of Surfers

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Written by Cindy Rasmussen

Updated: November 9, 2023

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Jumping Great White Shark.
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Just another day surfing at the beach until you hear a huge splash! And it’s not a fellow surfer making an epic spin-out. This video opens with a group of surfers catching a wave at the Lower Trestles off the beach just south of San Clemente, California. The sky is overcast and it must be a bit chilly with the surfers wearing wet suits. This area along the coast is a popular spot for surfing. It has several designated surfing spots; the Cottons, Uppers, Lowers, Middles, and Church, with the Lower Trestles recognized by surfers as being for intermediates or experts.

The experienced surfers in the video clearly have skills but they are not the highlight of the clip. Within seconds, just in the distance, a huge Great White leaps directly behind a group of surfers! The huge Great White completely clears the water in a massive breach. It lands back in the water creating a billowing splash as it hits the surface.

great white shark leaping out of water

A massive great white shark leaps into the air in a grand display.

©Alexyz3d/Shutterstock.com

Great White sharks can get to be 20 feet long or more with most adult sharks being around 15 feet long. They can weigh between 1,500 and 5,000 lbs! You can see why seeing a shark that size completely clear the water in one jump is an impressive sight! Compare that to the average surfer which is 5-6 feet tall on a longboard that is 8-10 feet long. This shark could be nearly twice the size of the surfboard.

The video replays the scene in slow motion, with the overcast sky in the background. The surfers are going about their business without noticing the potential danger directly behind the group of surfers. You can see even clearer how the shark leaps out of the water with its strong tail propelling it sideways. Sharks move their tails side to side for propulsion compared to whales and dolphins who move their tales up and down to swim. Not only do sharks have powerful tails for breaching but it makes them fast swimmers as well. The five fastest sharks are the Shortfin Mako, Salmon Shark, Blue Shark, Great White, and Grey Reef. The Great White in this video has the potential of reaching top speeds of around 30-34 mph.

The last shot in the video zooms in on a still shot of the shark in mid-air. It is poised to land and create waves. You can tell it is not a dolphin or a small whale, it is definitely a Great White. Although the video cuts out here you have to imagine the following scene after a huge Great White leaps directly behind a group of surfers, which would be the startled surfers clearing the beach! They may be expert-level surfers but they are no match for a Great White that can swim 30+ miles per hour!

Is It Normal For Sharks To Leap Out Of The Water?

Africa, Animal, Animal Behavior, Animal Wildlife, Animals Breaching

It is thought that sharks breach to pursue prey.

©iStock.com/Alessandro De Maddalena

Some shark species do jump out of the water although scientists can only speculate as to why. Unlike dolphins, who jump gracefully from the water’s surface, sharks have to start their ascent from deep water – building speed and power as they go. This maneuver, called breaching, uses a significant amount of energy, so it has to be important in the shark’s life. Some theories about breaching include: pursuing prey, like jumping up to reach a bird or seal, to dislodge parasites, or indicating to other sharks that it is ready to reproduce. Whatever the reason, it’s certainly not jumping for fun!

Where Do Great White Sharks Live?

A shot of the beautiful wild great white shark underwater

The great white shark can be found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in temperate and subtropical waters.

©Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.com

Great White sharks can be found in temperate and sub-tropical waters of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In the United States, they can be found in coastal regions of Maine, New York, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, California, Alaska, and more. They will migrate to find their preferred temperatures, which range from around 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Pups and juveniles tend to prefer shallow, warm water and will migrate when older to pelagic habitats in search of seals and sea lions.

Lifespan: How Long Do They Live?

Great White sharks usually live 50-70 years. They can even live longer! In the past, it was thought that they only lived around 20 years, but recent research, a technique in which their tissue is analyzed, has proven otherwise.

Why Are There Great White Sharks In San Clemente?

Great White Shark

Great white sharks are known to have a breeding ground at San Onofre State Beach near San Clemente.

©slowmotiongli/Shutterstock.com

Great whites have always been seen in the waters off the coast of California and their population seems to be greater than ever. San Onofre State Beach, which is located near San Clemente, is a known breeding ground for these sharks, although they are rarely captured on camera. This is just one of several nurseries along the shore.

According to researchers from Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab, there can be as many as 40 juvenile white sharks only 50 feet from shore at some of the most popular beaches in Southern California. Although the chances of being bitten by a shark are very slim.


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About the Author

I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris with a degree in Elementary Education and I am a former teacher. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango".

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