Nerve-wracking footage has emerged showing a great white shark circling and chasing two men out on their kayaks.
The terrifying video – taken by Ken Gerke, who was kayaking off the Australian coast – shows a huge great white shark approaching the men, it’s fin sticking out the water as it comes frighteningly close to them.
Ken Gerke and David Barwise noticed the fin sticking out of the water while they were out at sea. The pair started filming to make sure they got footage of the predator.
Watch it here:
Ken points the camera in front of him while he directs the kayak away from the shark. You can almost hear the ominous Jaws music as he shouts:
It’s chasing me, it’s chasing me!
He can be heard breathing heavily as he paddles out of the shark’s path, but the beast continues to pursue him.
Ken then calls for David to come over to him – although I can’t imagine David was too thrilled to be asked for help when it involves getting closer to a great white.
The shark was close enough to the fishermen for them to be able to identify it as a great white and in the video, Ken can be heard saying:
It’s a big white, you see him? … That is a huge white shark.
Understandably panicking, Ken says: ‘she’s very f*cking interested in me’, and ‘I’m f*cking shaking’.
Once back on dry land, safe and sound, Ken shared the footage to Facebook, describing his experience:
Had an awesome encounter with a very large Great White Shark in the kayak this morning. The footage kicks in after it had circled me once already and I decided to move away…unfortunately she decided to give chase, she was very curious.
Such an awesome experience, I’ve caught small Sharks in the past, had juvenile Bull Sharks cruise past the yak in local estuaries…but nothing like this Beast.
The last part of the footage was taken by Dave Barwise after I moved over near him, he caught some awesome footage of the Shark checking me out.
Please excuse the language, panicked breathing and shaky footage…but I’m sure considering what happened you can understand my excitement and fear.
Had an awesome encounter with a very large Great White Shark in the kayak this morning. The footage kicks in after it had circled me once already and I decided to move away…unfortunately she decided to give chase, she was very curious. Such an awesome experience, I've caught small Sharks in the past, had juvenile Bull Sharks cruise past the yak in local estuaries…but nothing like this Beast. The last part of the footage was taken by Dave Barwise after I moved over near him, he caught some awesome footage of the Shark checking me out. Please excuse the language, panicked breathing and shaky footage…but I'm sure considering what happend you can understand my excitement and fear. Side note – please no stupid comments about killing sharks, I don't condone or agree to the culling of any Sharks. These type of Apex Predators are to be admired and respected, its their backyard…I'm only visting. Enjoy, KG ??PS – the fishing was slow..so this was an exciting way to cap off the morning.
Posted by Ken Gerke, Tournament & Adventure Angler on Friday, 29 June 2018
As you can imagine, Ken’s post received lots of comments!
One person said:
Her fins were horizontal, a good sign she was relaxed, when they get agitated, they drop their side fins down. Luckily for you, she was relaxed and just checking you out.
While another said:
Beautiful shark. Such amazing misunderstood animals. Liked the way you both just stayed pretty much still and didn’t turn yourselves into bait by trying to get away. She was so graceful
And a third added:
What a bloke. It’s moments like these that let you know your alive! Respecting these animals and knowing your place on the food chain before you venture into their territory is uncommon these days.
Always good to see someone who knows their place on the planet.
Ken Gerke, Tournament and Adventure Angler/FacebookKen and David definitely had a lucky escape if you ask me!
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.