Cape Cod surfers have close call with 10-foot great white shark: ‘The shark circled behind me very aggressive and agitated’
Two Cape Cod surfers have quite the story to tell after they evaded an “aggressive and agitated” 10-foot great white shark off an Eastham beach over the weekend.
The pair of surfers, cousins Ray Trautz and Pete Emond, reported that they had a close call with a shark on Saturday at around noon off Coast Guard Beach.
Trautz over the years has spotted about 100 white sharks while surfing, but this experience is definitely at the top of all his shark interactions.
“Pete was sitting on his board and I was standing on mine when I looked over my shoulder and a 10′ Great white Shark was on track right at Pete’s legs,” Trautz posted a day after the close call.
“The shark even turned on its side as if to take a leg, in that moment I yelled SHAARRRRK as Pete was still unaware,” he added.
As Trautz yelled, he stabbed his paddle into the water at the back of the shark, and the apex predator “violently” turned at him — with its tail and head thrashing back and forth.
The shark’s massive tail section almost hit Emond in the face.
“I was yelling for Pete to go and get to shore as the shark circled behind me very aggressive and agitated,” Trautz posted. “As the shark circled I circled and kept him from being behind me.
“In that moment a small wave came across the bar and in two quick strokes I was flying towards the beach,” he added. “We both escaped unharmed and a little shaken… Neither of us panicked and we reacted perfectly.”
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Great white sharks hunt for seals close to the Cape’s shoreline during the summer and fall, even into November with the water temps plummeting.
Last November had the fourth most shark detections along the Cape, with even more shark detections than during July. The top months for shark detections were August, September and October.
“Yesterday 2 surfers had a close call with a white shark off Coast Guard Beach,” tweeted MA Sharks, which is run by shark researcher John Chisholm. “Thankfully they weren’t physically harmed but this is an important reminder to stay vigilant! It is still white shark season and some will remain into the winter months.
“If you’re a surfer, SUP (standup paddleboarder) or other water user, be #sharksmart and prepare before you go,” added Chisholm, who confirms shark sightings for the Sharktivity app. “There are no lifeguards this time of year & very few people on the beach in general so help may not be nearby. You need to be prepared! Please continue to report sightings to @Sharktivity.”