10-Foot Great White Shark Swims Feet From Children at Southern California Beach
A 10-foot great white shark swam within feet of a group of children playing in the surf at a Southern California beach, with the close encounter captured on drone video that has since drawn widespread attention.
The footage, filmed by wildlife photographer and shark documentarian Carlos Gauna and shared by ABC News, shows the shark silently cruising through shallow water as several children remain unaware of its presence.
The shark eventually veers away and swims back toward deeper water without interacting with the beachgoers.
The incident comes as marine experts warn Southern California could experience one of its “sharkiest” summers in years because unusually warm Pacific Ocean temperatures are attracting more sharks closer to shore.
Scientists, however, stress that sightings do not necessarily translate into attacks and that great white sharks rarely target humans as prey.
Drone operator says the encounter was unusually tense
Gauna, who regularly uses drones to document great white sharks off California’s coast, recorded the encounter from more than a mile away.
“I don’t often get nervous but this was one of those instances where I did,” Gauna reportedly said. “When it involves kids I do get nervous and that shark was a lot bigger than those kids.”
Although he frequently observes sharks swimming near surfers and swimmers, he said seeing the predator so close to children was especially concerning.
The video shows the shark weaving through the shallow surf before changing direction, allowing the children to continue swimming without ever realizing how close the animal had come.
Scientists say warmer waters are increasing shark sightings
Marine biologists say elevated ocean temperatures linked to a strong El Niño pattern and recent marine heat waves are changing shark distribution along California’s coast.
Dr. Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, said warmer waters are drawing more shark species, including great whites, hammerheads, bull sharks and tiger sharks, into Southern California waters, according to the Sun U.S.
“I always tell people that if they spend any amount of time in the water off Southern California, I guarantee a white shark swam by you and you didn’t even know it.”
He has also emphasized that white sharks generally recognize humans are not part of their natural diet and that most sharks pass swimmers unnoticed every day.
Researchers note that juvenile great white sharks, often measuring between six and 10 feet, commonly patrol shallow coastal waters while feeding on fish and rays.
Despite the increase in sightings, California continues to record relatively few shark bites compared with many other coastal regions.
Beach safety officials continue to advise swimmers to remain alert, avoid entering the water where marine wildlife is actively feeding, and follow any warnings or instructions issued by local lifeguards.
No injuries were reported in the latest encounter.
