{"id":738480,"date":"2026-04-19T09:19:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/738480\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T09:19:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:19:22","slug":"wild-drone-video-shows-socal-surfers-paddling-inches-away-from-great-white-sharks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/738480\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild drone video shows SoCal surfers paddling inches away from great white sharks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Experts have been warning that shark sightings<\/a> on the Southern California coast are getting more frequent, and insane footage of them swimming inches away from surfers illustrates that danger.<\/p>\n

In what seems to be drone footage posted April 15, an individual on a purple board with a paddle in hand is riding a small wave at Manhattan Beach. <\/p>\n

Right before the wave ride, one can see a shark lurking<\/a> right beneath the water\u2019s surface directly underneath the surfer.<\/p>\n

Visual artist Bo Bridges captured incredible drone footage of sharks off Manhattan Beach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re back! It\u2019s been a little over 10 years since the last great white summit here in the South bay!\u201d commented visual artist Bo Bridges. \u201cAnd it looks Mother Nature and El Ni\u00f1o have invited all the babies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ridges said he was out paddling when he saw a shark breach the water\u2019s surface about five feet into the air. That led him to investigate further to capture the footage.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/strong><\/p>\n

California Post News<\/strong>: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports<\/strong> Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post <\/strong>Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters<\/strong>: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App<\/strong>: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery<\/strong>: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood<\/strong>: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

Other footage shows what seems to be a great white shark swimming peacefully through the greenish waters.<\/p>\n

Southern California is an ideal spot for young sharks, with a suitable water temperature and ample prey. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Other footage shows what seems to be a great white shark swimming peacefully through the greenish waters.<\/p>\n

But researchers are closely monitoring local waters, warning that unusually warm ocean temperatures and a potential El Ni\u00f1o could recreate conditions where sharks move closer to shore.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe water has been progressively warmer \u2014 unusually warm,\u201d Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach,\u00a0told the\u00a0Orange County Register<\/a>. \u201cWe think that may have brought females back earlier to give birth. All those are signs it will be a sharky summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recent encounters are already raising concerns along the coast.<\/p>\n

In Newport Beach, ocean access was temporarily halted<\/a> in March after a surfer spotted a shark gliding beneath her, circling just below her board.<\/p>\n

Actual shark bites remain extremely rare \u2014 averaging fewer than two per year statewide \u2014 according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t