Surfer Reacts to Great White Shark Encounter

Earlier this year, I filmed a surfer react memorably to a great white shark encounter he had while surfing in Southern California. The video amassed over 10 million views on Instagram and many of his friends recognized him. Consequently, we were connected and I was able to meet Victor at the last minute during a trip down to film white sharks. This video is his reaction, and his perspective of the events. Victor ended up hanging around with me, where we filmed another encounter just minutes later.

[@jameshenson3826]

“I’d be way more likely to die from the stress of life than to be eaten by a shark, and I’m willing to take that chance.”

[@ozziewarrens8804]

@James - And that's the Sad truth about life on Earth.🤕🤯

[@Vingul]

Not sure that’s true for active surfers, lol. But I like attitude.

[@tomchristianson9887]

Dude🏄 relax....

[@gggongaga2949]

True that !

[@jes6427]

​@@Vingul i think surfers sustain like 80% of shark bites

[@jonjones2634]

Liked his line that it not like an aquarium, it's a shadow. I surfed south O.C. pretty much daily for two decades and never saw a shark that I know of, but I've seen a lot of big shadows in the water, kept telling myself it's a kelp patch.😅

[@MomentswithDavid]

“That you know of” lol 😂 ya I’m sure plenty of sharks have seen you

[@notquiteultralight1701]

Ive paddled my kayak in Boston Harbor and periodically when there’s no wind and the waters glassy, I sense dark shadows beneath me and I’m always curious as to what that is. Plenty of depth for these critters yo be there!😬😬

[@nikkilovesrocks]

Yep, Lol! I swim in the waves & I think it's just disturbed sand! 😂

[@28th_St_Air]

I was kayaking down the coast through Del Mar last fall and saw a big shadow out to my left about 15 feet down that really looked like a shark. I was relieved to realize it was seaweed, but then turned to look to my right and there was an actual f’ing white about 5 yards from me just under the surface. When you finally see one for real, all your future seaweed encounters get that much more jolting. 😊

[@MomentswithDavid]

@@28th_St_Air damn I’m in Del Mar now surfing and ya it’s definitely a white shark spot

[@scrubjay93]

I love this guy. I really appreciate Malibu Artist for his approach to filming the sharks in a way that is not invasive and for educating all of us on the behavior of sharks in a place with lots of people in the water.

[@MrSevillian]

As a nature lover, what a great channel.

[@GrabbaBeer]

There’s not that many people in the water lmao. About 1 in 20 people at the beach actually go in the water while they’re there

[@Automedon2]

That's the definition of a chill guy. The kind of guy you'd like to have as a friend.

[@richardloader1898]

I agree, the type of guy that you want to go fishing with, shoot a few beers with etc.

[@johnnyfavorite1194]

He and I were friends years ago. Then he showed me his knife collection.

[@UcalPetersson]

I completely agree! I saved this vid when he said he would probably more likely die from stress of life than by a shark. Wonderful guy

[@americannightmare2109]

nah everyone in the 'Bu is weird.

[@stopthethreat]

@@americannightmare2109 this is Torrey Pines in San Diego, not Malibu.

[@alwayspooh1588]

"You can't live life scared" Great words by the surfer!

[@trevor9066]

people are so obsessed and in fear of dying when they forget that living is the whole purpose that we're here

[@conspiracy1914]

@@trevor9066 living doesn't mean on edge with apex predators. sometimes there is good choices and bad choices. if one of them did attack you are at a disadvantage. a small bite could be fatal depending on where. its not living if you have a limb missing because you were stubborn to go out to swim for another day. people that was attacked and died went out to live never knowing how their day will turn out.

[@braveheart4603]

I don't think taking reasonable precautions equates to living life scared. Everyone has their personal philosophy regarding these things, for me it would be irresponsible to leave my family's continued existence at the whims of an apex predator where even a curious investigation could result in a fatality but i respect everyone else's right to make that decision for themselves. Saying that I do do other stuff that's dangerous in other ways which you could technically argue the same point lol but generally i have some control over my dangerous hobby.

[@bobbyrossfella3248]

Living life in fear is different from unnecessarily testimg your fate.

[@locomojoboy2]

Something you’ll never hear from people still wearing face masks.

[@jebe8865]

Awesome video - saw a GWS about half a year back between Torrey Pines and Blacks. Told the lifeguards about it and they said that’s a juvenile they frequently see and named Fluffy

[@KATGrose]

Vick is Dope AF & I LOOOOOVVE just hearing his reminder that we all need to hear “You can’t live life in fear” he’s 100% right & it sent a calm all over me to hear that :) I love you guys and THANK YOU

[@jezzadelirious4921]

Make peace with death and go live a good life

[@buddhistpriest1357]

Timothy Treadwell said the same thing.

[@jritechnology]

@@buddhistpriest1357 He said a lot of crap - what he did was what got him eaten.

[@vincentdesjardins1354]

Great interview, Vic seems really humble, and down to Earth, awesome video. Keep it going !

[@Chewbecca101]

The more sharks he sees that no one noticed or where nothing happens, proves how good your odds are enjoying the ocean.

[@drkdrumz]

Totally. I’ll still enjoy it from the sand. 👋

[@garrykennedy5484]

Thanks for the interview Vic! Love that fricken van man!!!!! Such a SWEET ride!!! Looking forward to the next vid with your crew.

[@davesmith52]

Basically learned how to surf at this exact spot in Torrey Pines over 20 years ago. Probably have been out over 500 times in the span of a 10 year period. The guy in this video is right that it is very eerie when you’re out there alone. Always sensed that there were some big ones lurking beneath but not until the current days of drone technology is it now known for certainty. Simultaneity very cool and very chilling.

[@GuitarWithBrett]

For sure , I’ve felt that a few times out there. Never knew if was in my head or sharks around, can get a weird vibe sometimes

[@patrickbutler87]

@@GuitarWithBrett Totally. I think the vibe is real. I think our nervous systems can actually sense the presence of another nervous system. It's kinda like walking into a room and sensing a negative vibe, even if no one is talking

[@teremertz]

Torrey Pines is such a beautiful place.

[@mattgmyr1571]

Great job Carlos on the drone footage, (and the cool interview Vic, I see you in the water every so often). I was surfing my standup in your clip this session, and as you mentioned, I totally didn’t see this guy until he was in front of me, and because I surf here every day, my head is usually on a swivel. But because it was so shallow when I hopped back on, I didn’t even think to look behind me…surprise! I then heard your drone which alerted me that a shark was probably in the area…very helpful! 🤙 I usually see sharks every few days (I saw 6 different ones in one session last week), and although I think we’ve gotten used to it, it’s still a little freaky. I will say that the benefit to all this shark activity is that it keeps the crowds away! 🤣

[@LilyGazou]

It seemed like you pointed at it after you were standing up again.

[@latenight11]

Really good that he paid attention to the drone

[@imdoobie80]

thank you for everything you do for shark awareness. you do a lot of good and help people be less afraid of these beautiful animals.

[@garrykennedy5484]

Being less afraid may be a great mistake. Any shark could be THE ONE that gets you. You have NO way of knowing which one that is. Always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Better safe than sorry/dead.

[@aldobonaso3481]

@@garrykennedy5484 don't confuse being 'less afraid' with 'fearless'...everybody should have a healthy respect for wild animals, but fearing them through ignorance is what caused the mindless extermination of these magnificent creatures in the first place. We fear what we don't understand. Nobody is saying we should be trying to hug them, but panicking when you see one in the water with you is definitely worse than having no fear...

[@garrykennedy5484]

@@aldobonaso3481 True. The senseless killing of anything just because it scares you is unforgivable.

[@Sometimes_Always]

​@@garrykennedy5484 Pure paranoia. Astoundingly so. This is an incredibly ignorant viewpoint and why these videos need to be shown to more people. The video highlights how they're not as dangerous as people, LIKE YOU, think they are. Most animals are lethal. Dogs are one of these. More people are killed/maimed by domesticated dogs every year than sharks. The attitude that every dog you encounter is going to kill you and that you should prepare for that is comical at best. Try not to live your life in so much fear. Some people might mistake it for cowardice.

[@garrykennedy5484]

@@Sometimes_Always To each his own. Your opinion shows much about you. I'll stick to hang gliding thank you. Even with my fear of heights.

[@michaelb.42112]

My God that VW bus is soooooo sick. EDIT : Not only do you drive a sick VW, but you surfed with a great white and you're smiling. Total. Legend.

[@Angelluvs05]

grabbed at my heart strings, to witness someone making awesome of modern technology by assisting strangers & those being assisted (surfer) acknowledging & reciprocating the help ❤️❤️❤️ Far too much hate in this world,,, things like this prove we CAN live together on this planet both humans & our precious wild life ✅️

[@MermaidTreasureHunter]

I love that you interviewed Vic. I would love to see many more reactions to viewing your videos and seeing how close the sharks are. Thanks for your fun videos.

[@ia5662]

so educational once again and so cool you got to meet each other - awesome encounter and attitude all around! Plus, that Volkswagen bus is EPIC - sick whip and restored to perfection, bro!

[@cindyvan635]

I had a 66 bus, so fun to drive, every time I stopped at a light, someone would ask me if I wanted to sell it, lol😉

[@garrykennedy5484]

I was snorkeling off the beach of LaJolla Shores and caught a sighting of a VERY large shark. I don't know what kind it was but it was about 30 feet away so I could only see a shadow, or profile as it were. I would have to guess it was about 14 foot. It was very calm and with a couple slow wags of its tail, it slowly went away from us. Thank you for that sharkie!!!!! LOL

[@pacificaifyouplease8560]

Honestly, that is what they do.

[@Lost_Hwasal]

It was probably a white if it was lajolla

[@boogieheads]

50% chance of it being a white or reef shark

[@ImLisaMoore]

when we went there snorkeling there, we only saw a couple tiny fish and a sting ray. I felt really safe from sharks thinking there's no fish here for them to eat. I see that I was wrong in that assumption.

[@MermaidMusings7]

Thank you for showing us the side of these magnificent creatures television doesn't.

[@GrabbaBeer]

What? Television always makes them out to be this way. But go to South Africa or Australia and they will actually hunt and consume you

[@tula1433]

I agree love seeing cute surfers in their natural habitat! 🤷‍♀️😂

[@leucadia_red]

Yesss been waiting for this interview and it didn't disappoint. Looking forward to the next episode with Vic! 😎🤙🦈💙

[@asrotties]

Surfers and swimmers that know you are in the area probably feel a bit safer having you there to warn them when a shark is close. Great idea.

[@justinzarudny2090]

Dude that’s the Guy that owns Hungry Termite in San Diego! How cool is that!

[@Trojan0304]

Thanks for interviewing surfer & what is going on in his mind. Sharks are not mindless killers but a predator 🦈🦈🦈

[@yourkarma8331]

That van, his whole personality is so chill.

[@pakde8002]

Cool older surfer dude with a sweet ride. Stay safe out there.

[@texknight67]

I just discovered your channel and am in absolute awe of the footage you capture. I've never been in the ocean except for the Gulf of Mexico but I'm in awe of Sharks. I don't want to meet one in their world but I love watching them. Thank you for sharinig your gift.

[@seanstapleton8046]

On a couple of the cliff outlooks in the park, on a clear day you’ll see 3 to 7 GWSs patrolling just past the breakers. It’s not uncommon for them to come in shallow, take a peek around (esp at all the surfers) and then zip back out.

[@jeffwolff1015]

To all of you who can surf fearlessly in waters such as this, you are far braver than I am. Just yesterday, I was out alone, early in the morning, sitting and waiting on my board looking out at the horizon for waves. I was having a wonderful, peaceful, truly joyous moment enjoying the sunrise, the calm glassy waves between sets, the solitude and oneness with the ocean and nature. Until, I brought my attention back to my board for a moment, where I saw a roughly 4ft long shadow in the water right in front of me. Idk how long it was there before I noticed it, but I jumped a little when I saw it, and perhaps the sudden jerky movement of my dangling feet scared it, because it immediately turned around and swam off. However, despite the small size, and knowing that there are only reef sharks at my local beaches, I still just about shit my shorts. Also, the hippy in me can't help but think, while I was enjoying the wonderful views of nature we don't always get to see, was that shark or fish not also doing/thinking the same thing as it was watching me?

[@thenewtowncryer]

Amazing disclaimer to start it off. 40 seconds in and Vic the G pulls up in an all time G wagon...and proceeds to live up to the hype. Spectacular ending as well. Danka from OB.

[@SeadartVSG]

When I was about 100 ft from shore SUP surfing, I saw a juvenile shark (~ 6 ft ) breach near Lajolla Shores about a month ago, it was in the middle of a group of about 6 swimmers. Two of the swimmers heard the shark hit the water, one of the swimmers saw "a dark flash of a shadow". First time I have seen a shark breach up close and in person. There were lots of small stingrays in the water, I assumed it was feeding on them.

[@easy_nator_gamer8498]

Yes majority of the time they are just watching/stalking but don't mistake that for them being peaceful or gentle creatures. They watch for a reason and it's more than just curiosity. If these videos have taught me anything it's that they are out there watching and stalking us alot more often than I thought.

[@iamjackspyramidshapedhelmet]

Calm down buddy

[@easy_nator_gamer8498]

@@iamjackspyramidshapedhelmet Sure and thanks for the insightful comment. Way to make dialogue!

[@Horus070]

Sharks can be opportunists …

[@easy_nator_gamer8498]

@@Horus070 Is it possible for sharks of the same species to have different food preferences?

[@Malachit-dl1qw]

​@@easy_nator_gamer8498 You asked that question in order to get the answer from some dumbasses on YT. Go read a paper on this or something idk.

[@thefutureofscience8365]

I used to go bodyboarding all the time off Coronado, not too far from this spot, when I was younger. Never gave it a second thought, honestly. I was indestructible. It’s only now, as a full grown man, that I look back and realize that I was without a doubt getting to within mere feet of a great white shark on a weekly basis. Kind of weird to think about. Couldn’t pay me to do that now. I have too much respect for giant teeth and man sized jaws.

[@futurepainthemaking9821]

I was watching a show during shark week and they were saying that the white sharks have made so-cal a place where they migrate and have babies. Not uncommon for them to be there. This was a great video. See they are a bunch of monsters they just wanna see what we are and they go the other way. Love the shark awareness in this video!!! Keep up the great work!!!

[@kevinwells4986]

Look forward to seeing Vic and his crew surfing and you filming it. Nice video once again.

[@peterrose3942]

Awesome communication between drone driver and surfer!

[@Basey]

“…way more likely to die from the stress of life…” Preach.

[@Aviciidoesstuff]

Great interview, Vic! Good to get a surfer’s perspective on shark encounters.

[@DylanMorehouse]

Dude thank you so much for doing this video. This needs 10 million views

[@chrishartman9467]

one time as I was a lifeguard in florida what appeared to be a very large great white slowly rolled up face first towards a few people swimming right in front of me the shark was huge and the water was pretty clear that he scared the crap out of me and them as i tried to reach for my whistle the people saw it and freaked out running out of the water. the shark was like swimming in slow motion not aggressive but very intimidating when you see a giant great white approaching mouth first towards you. the people never went back into the ocean that day. it was an experience thats for sure. mostly bull sharks black tips and spinners but I know great whites swim all up and down the east coast of usa

[@DDAWGY1]

Dude that van he has is bad ass and worth about 50k Those old VW vans go up every year!

[@ForzaVryheid]

Two great guys I'd gladly drink a beer with! 🍺 Keep up the great work!

[@Sunfell]

I love your videos. It's nice finally seeing and hearing you. Keep up the wonderful work.

[@TheMalibuArtist]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Cassandra96]

Thank you for bringing attention to these beautiful animals.

[@aaronreynolds8587]

Thank you for what you do. Not only is it amazing to see these magnificent creatures from above, but it's incredible how you continue to educate folks that these sharks are not out to get us, they are not out there waiting to eat us us, they really don't want much of anything to do with us. So important for people to realize so that these incredible creatures can continue to thrive.

[@firequeen7872]

I love this channel. It’s easily the best, most informative, most visually pleasing and respectful channel about sharks 🦈 and how they react to us and vice versa. Thank you! 😊🇳🇿👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@rogersalles200]

that surfer is badass!

[@Lbegiss]

Drone as 🦈 alert ! Thank you for the video !

[@TheMalibuArtist]

Thank you for your support!!

[@maoama]

You're a bro Vic! Thanks for the interview!!

[@jws2206]

Awesome video. If you surf Torrey/Del Mar/Solana beach often enough you will eventually have a white shark encounter. Ive had a few over the years in this area and seen a couple breaches too. Great to see the Malibu Artist in SD. Keep the great content coming.

[@bradbarnett5464]

Clear waters💙💚

[@hanplant]

As soon as I saw that horizon, I knew that was my home stretch. Brought a tear to my eye! (I had to move after being born and raised North County to SD) Awesome seeing Malibu Artist in the area.

[@GuitarWithBrett]

Any idea why there’s so many there and not Encinitas for example ? I’ve asked Encinitas lifeguards about shark sightings and they all say they never see them.

[@socalboys794]

Growing up surfing in San Diego, you know they are always there. Was surfing Ponto Jetty the day the kid got hit by the big White at Beacons. And yeah, " Don't live life scared!" Sharks are amazing creatures and we are blessed to share the ocean with them.

[@melissamcclain34]

Awesome interview/video!! Vic's van was almost as cool as getting to see sharks..almost 😂😂 Can't wait to see next video

[@patti3d]

Wow! Great video and interview! Thank you.

[@Steve_643]

I think it’s a good sign for the GW shark population that you film so many juveniles on the Cali Coast. Good to see the regulations that protect them is paying off.

[@warrens.5933]

I love this type of content! It's unique, educational and totally rad!!!

[@KirtFitzpatrick]

Vic is my kind of people. It would be cool if you could find more people like him to interview. People that go our where you film and have long since gone through all the mental thought experiments and long ago did all the research to make themselves comfortable spending time in the water where they know there will be sharks. I surf up in SF/SC (from my VW van) and had to do the same mental exercises to come to terms with surfing in the "red triangle". I find your channel very interesting.

[@annabizaro-doo-dah]

Really enjoyed this video! Fantastic hearing the surfers experience 😁

[@mrkipling2201]

Great episode!! Thanks to Vic as well!!

[@DavidSmith-ke1xb]

That was cool of Vic to hang out to talk about that moment, super intense and life, like he said, also stressed out vibe? Careful Vic try to relax and calm out before you enter the water. Happy thoughts. 🙏😁😎! Thanks and then the drone action, wow. Thanks for sharing

[@FaithisKey792]

Amazing, do what you love. Stay safe everyone and respect nature.

[@menydenisse]

Great video! Thank you both.

[@denyceferro]

Beautiful! San Diego rules! Love Great Whites in there home territory ❤

[@DavidHotz21]

We just lost someone in v shallow water here in south africa. Quite amazing footage and how calm that dude was.

[@annevogel11]

Fun video! Looking forward to watching Vic surf!

[@DownToEarthMind]

maybe the drone could be equipped with a speaker, playing the music from 'JAWS'. LOL

[@deadkemper]

Fantastic video and interview. keep it up as always..from lil ole me in England

[@brooke8992]

I loved the interview!

[@bryanharding4359]

loved tis video can't wait to see the one with vic and his crew

[@boocoodinkydau]

Awesome. People would be surprised, even shocked maybe, to know how often there are close encounter with GW's inshore like this, with absolutely nothing bad happening. I love these amazing animals, I spent 5 weeks as a volunteer crew member on a cage diving operation in SA to get up close and personal with them!

[@margueritereed5035]

I'd love to hear more about that experience!

[@sharonjackson9994]

That was a very cool interview. Your videos are awesome. I'm from FL, Clearwater Beach. The gulf is very murky and hardly ever clear. I am sure all the many times I was in the water there were some type of shark nearby! We don't have too many Great Whites in the gulf but Hammerheads are alive and well! I now live in TN where we don't have to worry about that anymore. ;)

[@loverofthearts222]

Awesome interview!! I remember when you first posted it:)

[@TheMalibuArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bazza1024]

Thanks for the video! 💜

[@majorleaguesurfing]

Great interview. Vic reminds me of Bodi from the original “Point Break” movie.

[@sebastianpujo7266]

Beautiful as usual! Thanks

[@harveyjones1]

Sharks bringing people together...very cool👏

[@allenkaye1]

Right on bro. It’s all your old neighbor in Malibu. Looks like you’re doing well I’m stoked. Nice video

[@bittnerbs]

Super cool! What an awesome guy and great interview.

[@patrickbutler1715]

More people need to see your videos and help dispel the myths about sharks especially white sharks ... great stuff

[@annep.1905]

Lolz. Go watch the youtube channel "Sharks Happen." The owner gives dispassionate, accurate, recountings of shark attacks. Attacks in the U.S. are more rare than they used to be, but I think that's because we used to kill animals that treated humans as prey. As people refuse to kill animals that attack, attacks will go up, because the animal will 'learn' that it's 'ok,' and repeat the behavior.

[@GMCGUY-]

Another awesome video brother

[@bretz9276]

Nice Torrey Pines... My boy Victor!

[@AJanae.]

That was super cool footage at the end!

[@Sometimes_Always]

What a cool @ss interaction.. With Victor and the sharks of Southern California We're all the better for it! 🙂

[@chrispetersen4863]

That's one beautiful bus that Vic owns! Amazing footage and interview!

[@claymac7895]

Channels like this are slowly undoing all the harm Steven Spielberg’s “JAWS” did. Well done!

[@ShandiNicole1982]

Sweet van! Great video.

[@brittanyreed4377]

I’ve saw sharks quite a bit in Florida, last one I saw a couple months ago it was in a little over waist deep water, see them from the pier sometimes. My family was on the balcony of our condo and me and another family member had went out way to far that day only having little plastic floats and I kept looking up at the balcony because my kids were out there so I would look up and wave at them every so often..We saw everyone standing up waving their arms and we just thought they were saying hi lol, when we got out of the water later that day they told us a shark was swimming around us and went right under our floats. From their view point they could see a lot more than we could.

[@MaxFung]

you guys have bull sharks over there. nasty fellas

[@brittanyreed4377]

@@MaxFung it’s crazy that growing up I always thought white sharks were the scariest but bull sharks are more territorial. I don’t think it’s very common for white sharks to be in the gulf but I have heard of fisherman catching them off the Gulf of Mexico..one guy even caught one off the beach in Panama City

[@nikkilovesrocks]

Great perspective video! Awesome SoCal dudes & sharks 🤙 Anyone not in Cali, this is the type of person you're most likely to meet at the beach! It's a beautiful 🌻I Love It!

[@cindyvan635]

Surfers are really nice laid back people🏄‍♂️🌊🏄‍♀️🌊🤙💙💙💙

[@rachelerneighbour5824]

Love watching your videos. They are highky informative and insightful. Appreciate the amazing insights and education about such glorious creatures who scare most out of the watera of the UK, and globally for that matter. Please continue to fo what you do and educate us on the geowing patterns and behaviours of the growing ahark populations m. ❤

[@Hklbrries]

Loved this!

[@therooster6104]

So cool as a X S.Cali native brings back great memories, Vic 🤙🏻 excellent brother. God bless ya both 🤝🙏

[@laurenwilson2145]

Great video! Really interesting. Much love to the surfer. ❤

[@kgough80]

Great video!! What an awesome guy!

[@JoeR203]

Hey I'm the 500th comment. 🙂 The best way he could have relayed to you that he saw the shark, would be to point to himself, then point two fingers at his eyes, then point to the shark. That would pretty much tell you "I see the shark.".

[@KATGrose]

This is so f-ing cool!

[@JW-uq9yt]

Thank you!

[@LadyOfTheLake77]

Your videos are amazing.

[@Padres1969W]

I've surfed Torrey Pines beach all my life. Such amazing footage dude!

[@hairdresser1000]

Loved this ❤

[@kellaskew2]

"It's a way better chance of dying from the stress than a shark" I laughed so hard but its true 😂

[@jenk2836]

I wasn’t expecting to watch this and have less fear of sharks! Awesome!