Watch a Paddle Boarder Cruise Right Over a Great White Shark Without Even Noticing It

This amazing footage was shot by Carlos, a photographer and drone operator based in Malibu, California. He was able to get a video of great white sharks swimming through shallow water in Southern California. Introducing the clip, he notes that the water was so shallow and they were so close to the top that their fins were actually breaking the surface.

The video begins with just a small portion of the shark’s fin visible above the smooth water. Just a touch beyond glassy, the water is still eerily quiet as the shark swims through. You can’t see the rest of the shark’s body below but that makes it all the more impactful as just the telltale dorsal fin gives any indication that the predator is lurking below.

As the drone moves closer, you can vaguely make out the shark’s massive body below the water. Carlos notes that this is a juvenile great white shark swimming off the coast of California, although it still looks formidable as its tail moves back and forth ominously. Moving behind the shark, the drone gets an even better shot of its entire body.

The video cuts to footage shot a few days later in even shallower water. Carlos narrates that the water is around 10 feet, which makes it clearer and easier to see other features below the surface when filmed overhead. Multiple sharks come into the shot, which then cuts to a shot of a single shark swimming near the shore.

A Startled Shark

The last few moments of the clip are the most amazing of all. A paddleboarder enters the field of view, oblivious to the shark nearby. From the vantage point above, it’s easy to see the shark swimming just below the surface. It appears that the dorsal fin is out of the water, at least a little bit. But the paddleboarder doesn’t react at all, even when he gets within a few feet of the shark. Instead, the shark changes direction as he is startled by the paddleboarder. Both go their separate ways.

Is This Normal Great White Shark Behavior?

Great white sharks are common enough to see off the shores of Southern California. But as Carlos points out at the beginning of the video, they prefer warmer waters and will leave the area once it gets too cool. They are more prevalent in Southern California during the late summer and fall months.

The shark in this video was identified as a juvenile known by the name “Blade.” In his narration, Carlos says that this shark “has a tendency to hang out at the surface of the water.” One of the amazing things about using drones to get photos and videos like this one is that the drone is able to get much closer and take detailed shots without disturbing the animal or putting the photographer at risk.

While sharks don’t always attack people, if they feel threatened or they are particularly hungry, they can get aggressive quickly. It’s important to remember that they are apex predators in the ocean and wild animals. Adult great whites have around 300 teeth and an incredibly strong bite, which they won’t hesitate to use if they feel they need to. Using the drone allowed Carlos to get some truly amazing footage without causing any undue stress on the animal.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alessandro De Maddalena/Shutterstock.com