Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, a photographer has captured the moment a group of surfers who were seemingly oblivious to the threats lurking below the waters.
Professional photographer Matt Larmand was able to capture the heart-pounding footage using a drone, as a group of hydrofoilers sped through the water off the coast of Capistrano Beach in Dana Point, just outside of San Clemente.
Larmund was hoping to capture some awesome shots, but after reviewing the live footage, the photographer spotted the figures of three great white sharks lurking just beneath the sea's surface, just feet away from the unsuspecting thrill-seekers.
If you need a reminder of just how dangerous great whites can be, check out this video that shows two sharks tearing chunks out of one another:However, because Larmand was about a quarter-mile away from ocean-dwellers, he was unable to alert the surfers about the dangers that were circling below.
Sharing the video on Wednesday, the photographer captioned the video by saying:
"Last post from today I promise. This was just too good not to post right away. Taken about an hour ago, this guys had no idea that they had some company out there this evening! Anyone wanna join them? After about an hour one of them finally sees it, but not until it’s about a foot away!"
Check out Larmand's pulse-racing footage in the video below:At one point in the video, one of the surfers appears to ride right above a shark, as another rider falls into the water just feet from one of the giant beasts.
Speaking to the O.C. Register, Larmund said:
"I was freaking out. I was like, 'He has no idea there's a shark right next to them. He was just sitting there, he had no clue. I would be freaking out if I was him, it was just insane to watch."
"It was almost like they could care less they were there. One of the clips I have, the guy being towed by the Jet Ski, they were going by and went past by six to seven feet away, and the shark could care less if they went right past him. The sharks were being really mellow."
If you think that was scary, check out how close these fishermen came to a great white after one snatched their catch:Per Newsweek, Larmand, who works for Dana Wharf Whale Watching, said that the beach is a hot spot for shark activity.
Larmand believes one of the three great whites he captured on film was at least eight feet long, suggesting it may have just been a youngster. Experts say it is the more curious juvenile sharks that can be the most dangerous to people, Newsweek reports. Despite the fact they typically feed on fish, dolphins, seals, and sea lions, great whites are one the few species of sharks that have fatally attacked humans unprovoked.
