A hydrofoil surfer skimming a swell off Oahu got a blunt reminder about who really owns Hawaiian waters when a hammerhead shark slid under his board in footage shot in January. As the camera rolls, a dark, triangular shadow cruises beneath the foil, and the clip ends on the rider’s stunned face. The group reportedly packed up and left the lineup after the sighting.
The footage, published to Storyful on Jan. 28, shows the rider identified as Matthew Reynolds. Reynolds told Storyful he "rode right next to a hammerhead" and was lucky to have his camera rolling during the close call. The clip then cuts to a close-up of Reynolds’ shocked expression as the shark glides beneath his board.
Hammerheads Are Part Of Hawaii's Marine Neighborhood
According to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, several hammerhead species - including scalloped and smooth hammerheads - occur around the islands, and most reported shark bites in Hawaii are rare and nonfatal. The agency notes that adults often roam offshore while juveniles use bays and reefs as nursery areas, so nearshore sightings are not unusual for local waters.
How Rare Are Hammerhead Encounters?
Per the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, Sphyrna (hammerhead) species are credited with 18 confirmed unprovoked incidents worldwide and zero recorded fatalities, according to the ISAF species breakdown. National Geographic adds that while a great hammerhead can reach roughly 20 feet in length, most hammerhead species are smaller and very rarely target people.
Surfer Reaction And Ocean-Safety Reminders
Reynolds told reporters he tried not to panic so he would not fall, a detail included in coverage by the New York Post. State ocean-safety guidance urges common-sense precautions - avoid dawn and dusk, stay out of murky water, and exit if a shark is sighted - recommendations laid out by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. For most surfers in Hawaii, moments like this remain rare, but they are a sharp reminder to respect the ocean’s wild side.
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