David Slavich was kayak fishing off Half Moon Bay on Sunday, Oct. 25, when a great white shark swam right past him. NBC Bay Area reported that the shark was longer than his 12.5-foot kayak.
What happened
Earlier that day, a paddleboarder in the same area warned Slavich that he had seen a great white, People reported, citing KRON 4. Slavich didn't think much of it. Then he heard a "whoosh" behind him.
"I look over my shoulder, and I see this massive, massive silhouette and the distinctive fin," he said. "There is this giant eyeball locking with my eyeballs, and it was one of the most surreal moments I've ever had in my life."
He pulled his fishing rig out of the water and braced for impact. The shark passed by without touching the kayak. He called the encounter "absolutely frightening," NBC Bay Area reported.
Back to fishing
Slavich kept fishing for another three to four hours, NBC Bay Area said. He told the station that people who spend time in the water off California think of great whites as "the boogeyman," always in the back of their minds. He plans to go out with a buddy from now on.
He told KRON 4 that his wife wants him to get a bigger, sturdier boat before he goes out again, according to People. "I think my encounter really just proves that they are not interested in eating people," he said. "They are pretty curious."
What he'll change
"I need to go with a buddy," Slavich told NBC Bay Area. "That's the safest way to go. I'm not solo kayaking out there any more." His story is also a reminder to take sighting reports from others on the water seriously.