The day off at Jeffrey’s Bay took surfers to the water in the South African Sea. However, an unexpected visit deterred those who took advantage of the World Tour stage’s day off to surf. This Saturday afternoon, a great white shark crossed the path of surfers like Ian Gentil, who was born in Brazil but grew up in Maui, Hawaii and Rio Waida from Indonesia.
According to Nathan Florence, surfer and brother of John John Florence, some newcomers warned of the presence of a great white shark in the sea. Zoard, a cameraman accompanying the route, photographed the shark between the surfers. Ian Gentil even waves to the visitor.
Great white shark crosses ocean with surfers in JBay.
Some newbies got down to business and said they saw a great white shark so close they could see its eyes! @zoard threw up the drone to see if we could safely locate the shark crossing the point! I tried using a drone to alert Rio Waida that I was approaching it and to call the people on the beach to let the surfers know I was swimming straight! Everything ended well, everyone got in and the shark just crossed its path to the headland and headed off! What a crazy sight, we know we’re playing in their house but to see how easily and undetected they can approach is amazing! said Florence.
1 of 2 Ian Gentil surfs a wave in Jefrreys Bay with a shark just below the wave Photo: Reproduction Ian Gentil surfs a wave in Jefrreys Bay with a shark just below the wave Photo: Reproduction
Rio Waida, one of the surfers in the water during the shark’s passage, commented on the visitor’s presence. He said he didn’t believe it until he saw the photos sent by Nathan Florence.
With all the love. It’s a beautiful day in JBay. It’s sunny and we’re surfing with everyone in the express sessions. I saw the drone coming my way and found it annoying so I paddled away. And then the announcer told everyone to get out of the sea. Because there was a shark. And I was fine until I went and changed my clothes. Then Renato (Hickel, WSL commissioner) told me that the shark was very close to me. I freaked out and didn’t believe it until Nathan Florence sent me the photo.
Surfers have two more ways to qualify for the grand season finale in Trestles, California. Good results in the JBay and Teahupoo stages will be crucial for a place in the top 5 of the WSL. Filipe Toledo leads the ranking with 44,980 points. João Chianca is fourth with 39,640 and Yago Dora current champion of the Rio Pro closes out the top five of the Tour with 32,120. Medina, Italo and Caio Ibelli still have chances to fight for the world title this season.
2 of 2 Shark swims alongside a local surfer in Jeffreys Bay Photo: Reproduction Shark swims alongside a local surfer in Jeffreys Bay Photo: Reproduction