A drone pilot has captured footage showing what appears to be a large great white shark cruising the lineup at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.
Jeffreys Bay is the site of the Corona Open J-Bay, featuring the world’s top surfers and scheduled through July 22.
In 2015, former world champion Mick Fanning was caught on camera fighting off a shark during a contest heat at J-Bay.
View this post on Instagram
Last May, as Surfer reported, a 50-year-old recreational surfer suffered serious leg injuries during a shark attack at the legendary surf break.
In footage shared Saturday by pro surfer Nathan Florence, captured by Zoard, the shark swims lazily through an uncrowded lineup on what appears to be a practice day.
Florence writes: “Some groms came in down the point and said they had seen a big great white close enough to see its eyes!
“[I] had @zoard throw the drone up to see if we could spot it sure enough shark was cruising up the point! Tried to alert @riowaida_ with the drone it was nearing him and call people on beach to let the surfers know it was swimming right through lineup!
View this post on Instagram
“All turned out well everyone went in and and the shark just cruised its way up the point and went on its way! What a crazy thing to watch we know we playing in their home but to see how easily and mellow they can approach undetected is wild!”
In the footage, the surfers appear on edge after they realize the shark is close but the highlight is when Ian Gentil carves a top-turn and sends a cascade of spray over the shark.
The World Surf League competition, with one round in the books, will resume when the surf is suitable for top-level competition.
–Image is a video screen shot
