Fisherman Encounters Great White Shark in Close Call

A California fisherman had an intense encounter when he found himself eye-to-eye with a great white shark. David Slavich was kayaking in Half Moon Bay on October 25 when the incident took place. The massive creature overshadowed his 12.5-foot kayak, and Slavich recorded the tense moment on his phone.

Slavich had been told by a paddleboarder about a shark sighting earlier that day but hadn’t been concerned. While on the water, he heard a startling “woosh” and realized he wasn’t alone. “I look over my shoulder, and I see this massive, massive silhouette and the distinctive fin,” Slavich recounted to KRON 4.

Recognizing the creature wasn’t a dolphin or a killer whale, Slavich immediately identified it as a great white shark. Recalling the moment, he said, “There is this giant eyeball locking with my eyeballs. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life.” He later described the incident to NBC as “one of the scariest moments” he had ever experienced. From now on, Slavich said, he plans to avoid fishing alone, remaining alert to the presence of sharks.

The shark’s proximity prompted Slavich to quickly pull his gear out of the water to prevent the shark from getting too close. Luckily, the shark did not attack. Reflecting on the experience, Slavich commented, “I think my encounter proves they are not interested in eating people. They are pretty curious.” Despite the shark not showing aggressive behavior, he acknowledged that “any exploration by the shark could have been dangerous.”