Wild video from the waters 2.5 miles off the coast of Northland, New Zealand where a 19-year-old kayak fisherman had a close encounter with a 15-foot great white shark.
Matthew Wells was documenting his fishing trip for his YouTube channel when he noticed an ominous shadow approaching his vessel. The telltale great white large dorsal fin emerged as Wells cut the live bait he was using and furiously paddled for safety:
“That was a 1,000-pound shark, and he’s right behind me!Leave me alone! He’s still behind me. He’s going at my rudder. He’s just following me.”
As great white continued its pursuit Wells began speaking directly to it and praying to Tangaroa, the god of the sea in Māori culture. In the end the shark gave up its chase and Wells was grateful to have made it out of the situation fully intact after running into apex predator that was bigger than his boat.
“Encountering the sea’s largest apex predator was both a terrifying and amazing experience. I’m glad to be back on land in one piece, all limbs and digits included.”
