In an unexpected encounter off the coast of Newport Beach, California, a great white shark was filmed leaping out of the water near a boogie boarder during an early morning session. The remarkable moment was captured on camera by Soaren Stevenson, who was watching his brother-in-law enjoying the waves near Lifeguard Tower 40 at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25.
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The dramatic footage shows the shark breaching just behind the unaware boogie boarder, who continued to paddle without any knowledge of the dangerous proximity of the predator. Although his brother-in-law was blissfully oblivious to the shark’s presence, Stevenson expressed a sense of surreal amazement at the situation. “It just makes me realise that when you go out there to surf, you can come way closer to such a beast than you ever think you would,” he stated.
Stevenson initially struggled to comprehend what he had recorded. “I was like, ‘That’s not even a dolphin — that’s a shark,’” he recounted while describing his initial shock when examining the footage up close. Prior to reviewing the video, the group had been playfully wishing for a ‘miracle’ to occur during their beach outing.
Experts suggest that the shark’s leap was not aimed at the boogie boarder. According to Christopher Lowe, a marine biology professor and director of the Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab, great white sharks may breach to scratch an itch or merely for enjoyment. “It’s not necessarily a predatory behaviour,” he commented, providing reassurance regarding the rarity of shark bites in California waters.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife supports Lowe’s claims, noting that incidents involving shark bites are “extremely rare” in the state. Since 1950, only about 250 incidents involving various shark species have been recorded, with the vast majority linked to great white encounters. Remarkably, fewer than 20 of these incidents resulted in fatalities, and all fatal cases involved great white sharks.
The agency defines an incident as an event in which a shark makes contact with a person in the water or their equipment, such as surfboards or kayaks. Shark sightings in which there is no contact are not included in these statistics. Officials encourage the use of the term “incident” rather than “attack,” as most encounters can be explained by sharks investigating unfamiliar objects or mistakenly recognising humans as their usual prey, such as seals or sea lions.
During peak beach season, which coincides with late summer and autumn, reports of shark encounters are more frequent due to the increased number of people in the water. Nevertheless, the Department of Fish and Wildlife advises swimmers to exercise caution by avoiding areas where sharks have been spotted or where they have been known to feed.
Despite the striking nature of his experience, Stevenson has dismissed the notion that he will refrain from returning to the ocean. “I don’t think they want to eat us,” he remarked, indicating that the encounter, although startling, will not dissuade him from his love of the beach and water sports.
Overall, while the presence of great white sharks can elicit fear, the reality is that sharks are not inherently dangerous to humans. Educational efforts and conservation messages seek to foster a better understanding of these fascinating creatures, aiming to diminish the stigma that often surrounds them. As Shark Week 2026 commences, stories such as Stevenson’s serve as vivid reminders of both the beauty of the marine world and the importance of respecting its inhabitants.