14 Foot Great White Shark Appears Behind Us While Kayaking

In this "Adventure Series" Episode, I venture out on a kayak to experience first hand how hard it is to see a great white shark from the water's surface. An unexpected large shark appears just as our communications break down.
I'm joined by my friends and fellow explorers ‪@jaglancy‬ , ‪@Dronesey‬ & Vincent Shay.
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James Glancy
/ @jaglancy
Eric "Dronesey" Jones
/ @dronesey
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DISCLAIMER:
I'm NOT a marine biologist. As with all KZbin content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation. If my drone work can assist in the study of these animals, please reach out to me.

[@jaglancy]

This was a great day out on the water and an amazing experience. The main issue was difficult comms - we were not hearing most of the messages, and therefore not hearing the instructions of where the shark was. Secondly the Gropro was attached to an old Telescopic pole that we found in the garage that morning. When I pulled open the pole to film the shark, the GoPro Hero 10 just popped off the end. Thinking it was just baby GWs (which we had been seeing for days), I was about to go and retrieve it. Then we got a garbled message that the shark was larger than expected, a lot larger.... so obviously I didn't get in. What you are hearing from the comms is Malibu Artist speaking into the radio recorded into a camera, that's not what we were receiving. I saw the shark and was very surprised that it was as big as my boat, that got the heart going. We were with the shark for quite some time. It was curious but very calm. There was a small seal on shore, which we think it had followed into the bay. Obviously, the more exciting commentary has made the cut, but it was a truly amazing experience to kayak with such a large shark. For all those being critical about my preparation or reaction. You're right, I should have checked that GoPro, but it was only a last min decision to go out on kayaks to see the baby sharks. We literally put a load of kit in the car and went out that morning. Fortunately I had a second Gopro and filmed the shark. Yes polarized lens would have been very useful too, the shark was mainly deep and the low angle from the kayak, makes seeing it very difficult. You get a much better perspective from the drone. Most swimmers / surfers often don't see sharks swimming around them until they are very close. Finally, a shark cannot sense your heartbeat through a plastic kayak (some funny comments on this). It really goes to show that sharks are curious, but not monsters that attack anything. I look forward to going out again. Big thanks to the Malibu Artist and Dronsey. Amazing week filming sharks!

[@barry7920]

I've seen large bears up close in the wild, and I can see that this would be both thrilling and nervy!

[@myblueheather8240]

Love this additional info. We were riveted watching the whole thing! The Go Pro mishap was so real life and relatable! So glad James didn't go in after it, though. When that snorkle came out, every muscle in my neck tensed up. 😂 My family and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this whole experience!

[@Happycab555]

The dude in the kayak never looking the right way lol

[@annakeye]

He's just a typical bloke. If you tell a man to look left, they will almost always look right. Even when the directive is repeated several times. I don't know why that is but it is one of those weird experiences that I, working as an industrial psychologist, found absolutely fascinating. And whilst not limited to males, it seems they are significantly more inclined towards this. I won't bore you with my musings on why that may be so.

[@jeffkeith637]

@@annakeye that's interesting. I was very much doubting his assertion that he was a RM. Behind you - he looked forward. Look left - he looked right. A comedy of errors.

[@andrewb5412]

Least calm guy 😂

[@dlmsarge8329]

You gotta amp up the manufactured drama somehow.

[@freeflymonkey]

he is special rainbow forces.

[@ejbah1]

Growing up surfing - it's hard to explain how many times I've had "that feeling". Now I know why.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Yeah I had it in a place called "Shark Pit" in Maui, I was surfing the outer break and got the weird heebie jeebies. The water got super cold and I felt a sensation of danger.

[@28th_St_Air]

@@ejbah1 it’s called anxiety. Without it, the human species would be nothing more than an oblivious entree in the food chain and never survive. I get the same feeling daily about lot’s of things that never happen. Was surfing last night just blocks from where a guy was attacked by a white a few weeks ago. Had that “feeling” while sitting there waiting for sets to arrive and kept looking all around nervously. I’m will keep having that feeling forever because I’m a self aware entree. 😳

[@simoneconsciousobserver3105]

When snorkeled at 14 mile marker in West Maui, I often felt that sharky feeling in the deeper drop offs. I saw many small reef sharks. Once, in a deep hole within the shallow coral reef, I had an intense feeling as I swam off the shallow into the deep 10ft or there abouts. I had to calm myself as I knew this reaction of my body to unseen danger. Then I caught a glimpse of a large tiger shark darting thru an opening in reef that lead to the deeper waters. It was exhilarating to say the least

[@FranktheDachshund]

Feeling sharky?

[@dingmanracing]

What a comedy of errors! I almost SH*T myself when he was putting his snorkel on to dive for his GO PRO.I thought he was a HE MAN..until he found out the size? EXCELLENT VIDEO..AGAIN 😂😂

[@YellowJello57]

The losing of the gopro and general snafus played out like a scene from Jaws

[@parabola8933]

Growing up surfing in Southern California I always saw large dark figures in the water. I always told myself they were dolphins.

[@nikkilovesrocks]

Yep! And if the dolphins are there we're safe!🤪🤣We all living the same childhood at the beach!

[@stormgetts]

Same here!

[@stephanie-yu4ng]

As a teen and into my 20's I dove at Point Loma, La Jolla Cove, and all points in between, plus the most intense dive I ever did was out at Cortes Bank. I would see huge Nurse sharks , an occasional Tiger sharks and lots of smaller Leopard sharks at various times. In the northern part of the gulf of California off of Baja, the common thing to see was Hammerheads. Then in the military I did a lot of diving in the Caribbean and on both sides of Panama, most of the time I saw Lemmon sharks and hammerheads. But the one shark that I never did see was the Great White in all of that diving in prime Shark locations. That in my mind is is a true testament to their stealth and ability to not be seen.

[@dan8402]

It is funny to think in the last 20 years we went from absolute terror and fear of White Sharks to actively seeking out interactions with them, and understanding their behaviors better. Amazing work.

[@2873lonewolf]

So, 20 years ago you wouldn't swim by them, but now you would? I ask in jest because they aren't any less dangerous today. I'm well aware that a lot of attacks have been blamed on whites, when it was a bull shark. The most dangerous factor with any shark is its curiosity, which whites are super curious, and they test by taste. Sure you might not die from a white attack and a bull will tear you apart, but I like my body parts and am not looking to shed any or rearrange them...lol

[@missmermaid6249]

Started in the 70’s with Jaws. JS

[@2873lonewolf]

@@missmermaid6249 Me too, I'm 51

[@missmermaid6249]

@@2873lonewolf It made us aware of sharks in general. I was a teenager and the scariest thing to me back then was the Manson Family 😬

[@LimeGuy101]

As a South Australian, they still strike absolute terror in me. The majority of attacks here are fatal, I'm happy to leave them be and stay out of their natural environment. The idea of kayaking in the open water with a great white near me is a sickening thought.

[@jritechnology]

Dude, that guy James made my anxiety go through the roof....seriously unprepared.

[@dlmsarge8329]

That wasn't accidental, he's a TV guy so knows how to introduce tension into a situation that really demands none.

[@vhscopyofseinfeld]

@@dlmsarge8329yeah it wasn’t tension he was introducing to the audiene, it was frustration.

[@karenstephens8788]

I know. I wanted to slap him.

[@karenstephens8788]

Especially when he didn’t know his right from his left.

[@surfshack2]

“I think we’re gonna need a bigger boat”

[@simonmbp]

"I thought that were baby sharks, that is massive" 😂😂😂

[@Mermare]

I'm going to chum the water...I mean, send James out ahead of me. 😂

[@karenstephens8788]

😂😂

[@Wortnik]

If you drop your gopro in the water near sharks your first thought should never really be to grab the snorkel! Definitely check a few other things first! 😅 Awesome vid as ever!

[@CeeceeWhip]

Oh, I know, RIGHT!! A little part of me was hoping to see what would happen😮😂❤🎉❤

[@bari2883]

I know I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

[@arizona_anime_fan]

that big one was definitely curious. yikes. what a beast. beautiful fish. this could be an advertisement for polarized sunglasses.

[@andrewjones9991]

The way he just casually threw his go pro in the water. I would never bring anything of value into the ocean without having it secured to me somehow and I'd be handling it like it was a priceless delicate vase.

[@Chewbecca101]

It's different when it is heavily insured..

[@MilledSteel]

That guy got panicky, fumbled the GoPro and almost made some enormous mistakes under pressure...

[@kirkdunn1379]

yes he did.....you wouldnt think it with his background, but he was shakin for sure

[@southernsweettea3478]

I was thinking wouldn’t that suck if the kyack flipped over. I would’ve died.

[@dlmsarge8329]

He's very familiar with making watchable TV (Shark Week) so ya, he's going to introduce a bit of drama for the cameras.

[@A67255]

He didn’t panic , he slid the Go pro up the pole but there was no stop end on the pole so it slid straight off the end of the pole ffs.

[@beneleonhard7915]

@@A67255 he panicked afterwards and was close to make poor choices, his attention certainly not being "situational aware". It makes one wonder about the Royal Navy. Knowing the RNLI, I would suspect none of their members would get so distracted.

[@T4Tracy2]

This was like watching the 3 stooges when James was in the water first! Five and Six o’clock must be different in the UK 🤣 and left must not be the same either! But nice footage and Thanks for the laughs!

[@karenstephens8788]

I know, right?! Keystone cops looking for sharks.

[@Chewbecca101]

Look to your left, James! Your OTHER left!!!!

[@dingodong76]

Shark was waiting him to search his GoPro underwater. Easy meal for the shark 😂😂😂

[@Liahs333]

I am now 100% sure that sharks are swimming literally right next to us and it’s a miracle that more people aren’t having close encounters with them.

[@hdb80]

We're so clumsy and slow in comparison that it's easy for them to remain invisible to us I think!

[@Liahs333]

@@hdb80 True!

[@MrLotrecht]

Incredibly how well camouflaged this animal is in his environment ! Without the drones-no chance to see them-so again a big applause to the malibu artist for starting this in such a good quality!

[@dreydantrovirr8136]

When he grabbed the snorkel, I thought "No....! he wouldn't. Stop him!" It might have been fine, but risky. Great video as always!

[@patbarker6256]

My ex and I paddled beside a 12-15' great white shark in New Brunswick. The girth on that white shark was massive! I think I died a thousand deaths out there that day. My heart was pounding watching this video. Thanks for this. Fascinating stuff! Thanks for sharing (I moved from NB to BC. Now I'm very much in bear country and not sure what's worse. Hehe.

[@hokieduck]

Not that I would want to go up against either, but sharks terrify me the most. I am in their realm. I am not in my own environment. Can't flee. Can't see. Give me a bear tearing open my innards any day.

[@TheJudiBambiPurrsParadox]

Holy crap that beast is as big as that kayak!! Freaking surprise when you're expecting one the size of you maybe, and then that thing pops up nearly touching you. I was freaking when he got the snorkel...I'm thinking 'oh crap...he doesn't know it's a monster not a baby..don't go in dude!' Nice to see a face sometimes behind that drone. Great video!

[@LobstersLobsters]

Its amazing how stealthy something 14ft long can be. When it popped up @ 8:45 neither of them noticed!

[@msvaleriah]

More amazing work, Carlos! And what a treat to get to see your family! Your little guy is adorable.

[@annamcc.5887]

Oh my goodness I didn't realize how many years I've been following your guy's journey until I saw your son and realized he is a toddler! I started watching back during the beginning of covid, my first son is 3 and he watches these videos with me now. So cool! Love what you guys do

[@RoissyAngel]

The shark sensed he was agitated.

[@mitchellhedges711]

Yep. He was freaking out, anxiety, increased heart rate & blood pressure. All typical Prey responses. On first view I was positive they were playing up the foolishness to create drama for viewers like typical shark week productions. But after watching it back I genuinely think that guy freaked out. There’s no way he was about to go into the water to retrieve that go pro 😂 I’m just glad we are all arriving at the logical conclusion that GWs know exactly what we are & always have.

[@jaglancy]

@@mitchellhedges711 See my comments at the top.

[@MrGustavier]

Almost feels like he is purposely looking the wrong way !

[@dlmsarge8329]

Ah, ya!!

[@Bob-sd8ns]

You don’t have your radios on a neck or wrist lanyard? That is brave

[@karenstephens8788]

Or stupid.

[@rebekahsalt26]

Conserve Sharks. 🦈. ❤

[@2873lonewolf]

So incredibly close, yet out of sight. That 14' white was so close to his kayak, even breached a bit, I wish he could have seen it from his kayak.

[@klcpca]

A perfect example showing these creatures are not "monsters". The big shark could have easily capsized the kayak if it had wanted to. It just wanted to see what was going on. Wonderful video.... What a beautiful family you have!!!!! ❤

[@nenaj1]

Stop being delusional

[@klcpca]

@@nenaj1 how am I being delusional????

[@timber72]

Magnificent creatures. You're doing great work, Carlos, in helping people understand how these sharks behave and what truly wonderful and necessary creatures they are.

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

My friend had his kayak rocked by a great white a couple of years ago. He was kayaking at Catalina when he felt something huge and looked back to see a great white with it's entire mouth around the tail of his yak. He has the teeth from the bite and pictures of the yak. That year there were a ton on encounters on Catalina for some reason. I would never swim or paddle in green water over there. You are just asking for it.

[@bari2883]

He has the actual teeth?

[@ajskes1016]

I’ve gone diving all around Catalina many times. Never saw a white shark. I know many divers and only know of one that has seen one at Catalina while diving and the shark had zero interest. I’m sure he had to clean his wetsuit though.

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

@@ajskes1016 Not sure where you were diving and didn't see any sharks. We've seen so many it's hard to count. Whites, soup fin, thresher, mako, hammer head, 7 gill. I've had sea bass chomped in half. If you dive like we do you need eyes in the back of your head.

[@karenstephens8788]

He’s lucky to still be around.

[@tamaradabney8699]

Now I want tp see the video of James watching the footage of him so close to that big big GW!

[@murraycod1965]

Complete panic and disorganisation! Thank goodness the shark didn’t launch onto the yak!! Great vid all the same!

[@AirbornePirates]

Brilliant video! Really enjoyed the new format, with you in front of the camera too

[@lisatruhett5555]

So flippin awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing!! ❤❤❤

[@James-dontgiveuponJesus]

goes to show that each time we have been in the water that next to 100% of the time there could have been a beast of a shark right near us but never knew it was there at all, a sobering thought

[@a1osborne]

Gold! Following Dronesy now too! Bravo!

[@helenmccaig8299]

You are doing such an amazing job x Thankyou so much

[@chrisschopenhauer6261]

filming in Guadaloupe waters would be the absolute peak of adventures as a shark filmer i guess ...

[@jmalexander131]

Not allowed in Mexico anymore. 😢

[@chrisschopenhauer6261]

@@jmalexander131 maybe under a special permit for scientific reasons, or as an alternative the galapagos archipelagos with special permits as well.

[@ClosetLady]

That was incredible footage Carlos! Thank. you

[@jandeakin1813]

Loved it brilliant lads great stuff xx😊

[@ipfreely3984]

Beautiful video!

[@kelmac1618]

Thanks for sharing this experiment with us! I’m always wondering about this.

[@MEL2theJ]

Another fantastic video 🦈 Thank you again TheMalibuArtist

[@TheMalibuArtist]

Thanks again!

[@eliasfoerg]

Amazing video as always. I always like how "calm" the narrative Style is. So refreshing and beautifiul:)

[@panicmosem5969]

Yall should explain to James his LEFT SIDE vs RIGHT SIDE 😂😂 He looked in the opposite direction EVERY TIME 😂😂

[@karenstephens8788]

Surely he isn’t as big of an idiot as he appeared to be.

[@Mermare]

What beautiful creatures. Thank you for what you do to educate people about them.

[@peekaboo7424]

Beautiful video & Loving family❣️ Thanks for sharing with us 🦈

[@CastleMc]

Awesome footage!!

[@PinguNooTNOott]

Excellent video! Thanks for taking us with you!

[@MT-tx7bu]

Great fun to watch! The fact that the shark was as big as your boat gave me chills.

[@juliedobson3039]

Eric safe on shore…….James in a kayak……I thought they were only small sharks 😂😂😂

[@TheOKkittyfarm]

Amazing!

[@scottgorman7166]

That was a great experience and video. Glad you were able to coax that monster out of the deep for James. You see his face...." thats one BAS" big ass shark Thanks for the adventure.

[@masterofwit339]

Absoluteiy heartpounding & wild!!!! I cannot imagine having a massive GW within a mile of me, let alone centimeters next to/below me while floating in a flimsy, teeny weeny, plastic death float! Amazing work, as always!!

[@danicaeder3089]

So great to see,thank you for your incredible work!!❤🎉❤

[@samkangal8428]

Great video👍🏻

[@t._._._.]

Brilliant video 👏🏼

[@wuta6347]

Awesome!!

[@miloselfesteem244]

Great video. Great channel

[@ShandiNicole1982]

This would be an interesting time to try an underwater drone.

[@firepilot4870]

What if it gets eaten lol

[@nikkilovesrocks]

Happy Belated Father's Day Carlos! Great video as always! 🩵🤍🩶

[@kimrollins7550]

Great Vid,

[@Dronesey]

I'm so proud of you for waiting until the last minute to fly your drone back on low battery! That filming coordination worked out really well! Awesome day out there with all of you!

[@hokieduck]

Gonna check out your channel, Dronesy.

[@dos_mas_805]

Been enjoying your content over the years and was super stoked to see you link with a couple friends from the Central Coast.

[@user-co9tt1wu4m]

Love love it ❤

[@aderiley6592]

Love what you do, thank you 💙🤙

[@SilverMist0121]

That dude can't take directions for 💩

[@Isarawen]

I love watching your videos. It is amazing how well camouflaged the sharks are in the water.

I find this channel so calming for some strange reason.

[@Gracie2517]

Great video

[@LoneStarStinger]

Amazing! Yall made some great memories. That cam trailing Idea was a good one. would be an interesting experiment to expound on. How exciting for that other shark guy to be so close to a white giant. I bet he’s glad he didn’t jump in for the gopro, def saw it cross his mind.

[@jojowynne233]

Aww 🥰 I loved your best part of the day with your family. Family is what makes everything worthwhile, especially when you have that little happy face and loving eyes adoring every move you make. ❤ Ok, back to the video, you gotta love those big surprises! Your mate was like “Screw the GoPro, that sharks too big and hanging around a bit too much” 😂😂 We still didn’t see an attack, maybe it was startled or became more interested when the GoPro splashed into the water? They don’t want to eat us. Good on you all Carlos, for running this experiment to find out why people don’t see sharks from their Kayaks. At least you know why now. I will look at and sub to your friend Dronsey’s channel. It just reminds me so much of Aussie slang that I have too 😂😂 Thank you as always for my favourite videos. ❤❤

[@MrBetc]

Watching from Canada I live between 2 of the Great Lakes, no where near an ocean or Great White Sharks, thanks so much for sharing this, so cool, welcome to the USA James. Crazy how sharks can blend so well in their environment so beautiful. ❤❤

[@MurrayRiver1]

Wow! That was eye opening.

[@MrJordie11]

Loved this video mate, thank you.

[@TheMalibuArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GiroChase]

I was holding my breath when that huge shark came to the surface…that was so cool! Hat’s off to James and the Paddleboard dude 😳 thank you Carlos 🫶

[@winterlighthome]

I am so jealous! What a great experience!

[@KC_Runz]

Brilliant video as always, that Shark was a monster!!! 😮🦈 My heart sank when James lost that GoPro!!!

[@dididinah826]

Ty M.A. 💜

[@Aaron_Hanson]

4:05 “I’m actually going to send James out first to see if they’re hungry” 😂😂😂 I swear that’s what I thought you were going to say 😂 Awesome upload Carlos 🍻🍻🇦🇺

[@thatguy2201]

To get the sharks attention you "squeak" the board or kayak. Rub the surface of the board with a wet hand in a back/forward motion firm enough until it squeaks similar to a dolphins sound. I do this to get the attention of dolphins and seals while surfing, occasionally a shark will appear. I surf some of the world's sharkiest waters, home of big GWS.

[@beneleonhard7915]

tell us more !

[@joneseytime]

Way to go getting out there on the kayak with the sharks! Awesome!

[@jf1890]

Much better water visibility from the SUP than from the kayak. Kayaks always have a glare because of the angle of the water.

[@tamaradabney8699]

Amazing footage. I've only kayaked in the Pacific once, off Catalina Island. During that outing, my spide-y senses told me we were definitely being trailed by a shark, but of course I never saw it. I just felt incredibly panicked at times. This video affirms that my senses were likely spot on! They are very curious about kayaks, especially the bigger sharks I think. They clearly have less apprehension about approaching. just... wow. I feel less bad about freaking out seeing how your friend James's heart was pounding! 😳

[@karenstephens8788]

James was acting like he had never been on the water before.

[@3232siobhan]

This seems to prove that they are mostly curious and benign... Respect to you for all the work you do

[@smokymtnlady3856]

WOW! This was exciting, Carlos!! TY! And your son is adorable ❤

[@TheMalibuArtist]

Thanks so much!!

[@cricket6410]

So interesting!

[@tigermothe]

Loved the new perspective. Almost some bait in the water. I never leave disappointed.

[@HeartTurnedToStone]

Incredible. 🦈🦈🦈 Now I wonder how many (unseen) GW's were mere feet from me all the years I surfed the Hawiian Islands & Huntington Beach. *shudders

[@cwunsche]

Absolutely gripping.

[@ritamclaughlin9681]

thank you, Carlos. It was funny and terrifying all at the same time!

[@daustin8888]

Sharks are such chill animals. They always seem more curious than hungry. But it's still best not to press your luck

[@taredin]

this was very interesting to see 😀

[@sportymcsports]

Dude immediately loses the GoPro, low battery drone has to return home, “baby” shark bigger than the kayak, and the walkie talkies stop working. I’ll never say another horror movie is implausible. 🤣🤣🤣

[@shereesheree7735]

W0W!!🦈

[@cj41079]

Magnificent ❤