In an astonishingly calm close encounter, Oakland science teacher Ian Walters and his friend John-Patrick Thomas were fishing from their kayaks in Half Moon Bay when they noticed the massive creature tailing them. The shark, "about 13 or 14 feet long," was a guest nobody expected on their fishing trip, per ABC7.

As they paddled nearly a mile offshore from Pillar Point Harbor on that foggy day, the giant shark made an appearance that was nothing short of a cinematic moment. In a video recorded by Walters, which later took social media by storm, we can hear him ensuring his friend's safety—"There he is. You alright?" to which Thomas nonchalantly responds, "Yeah". KRON4 reported on this story, adding that the finned follower seemed more curious than threatening.

The video uploaded by Walters doesn't just add another data point to the 'great white sightings' map. It also shows the mutual respect between man and predator. "It was pretty magical to be near one like that", Walters told KRON4. Dr. Paul Kanive, president of the California White Shark Project, identified the creature in the video as "a 14-foot-long adult white shark" and noted its classic triangular fin shape. The timing is apt, as August is when great whites swim closer to the California coastline after their annual migration.

Meanwhile, just days before this peaceful encounter, the Pacifica Police Department reported an unconfirmed shark sighting at Linda Mar Beach. A surfer observed a shark, described as six feet in length and roughly 200 yards from shore. Thankfully, no aggression was reported. The Pacifica Police took to Facebook to remind the public that our coastal waters are natural habitats for these ocean dwellers and to always stay cautious in water.