Massachusetts great white shark encounter with paddleboarders Margaret Bowles and Maddie Cronin in Cape Cod
Share this @internewscast.com

A Jaws-some experience.

A great white shark startled two Massachusetts paddleboarders as it swam merely feet from them, while they were enjoying their Fourth of July evening on the water.

College students Margaret Bowles and Maddie Cronin were paddling near Woods Hole on Cape Cod’s southwestern tip when they observed what was believed to be the shark’s 8-inch fin.

Cronin, a University of Toronto student, was capturing video of Bowles playing around when the dorsal fin of the shark appeared, scaring both friends.

“Oh,” Bowles said as she jumped up on her board, according to a video obtained by WHDH.

Bowles and Cronin didn’t believe what they saw and had to look back at Cronin’s photos and to confirm their suspicions.

The photo captured Bowles’ terrified expression as the underwater predator’s dorsal fin breached the water’s surface, just feet away from Cronin’s board.

“I see this big fin pop up next to her, it’s like eight inches out of the water sort of fleshy, gray and I’m like ‘Oh my goodness that’s a shark, we got to go,’” Bowles, who attends Harvard University, told the outlet.

“Once we were back to shore, I was kind of like no way, they aren’t here,” Bowles added. “It took a second to register that was what happened but it was a complete surprise. I’ve spent time teaching marine biology here and swimming in the ocean. I certainly never expected for a great white shark to wander my way.

“I always operated under the assumption that there were no sharks in Woods Hole. I would have friends down and they’d ask, ‘Are there sharks here?’ And I’d be like, ‘No, no way.’”

The photo was sent to experts, and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries confirmed the friends had encountered a great white shark in Buzzards Bay.

Knowing they were on top of their boards, the friends kept their “cool” and paddled back to shore without incident.

After returning to the safety of land, the friends joked that the shark got lost in the waters and was stopping for directions.

The “lost” creature was named “Steve” and didn’t scare the friends away from the beach.

“I’ve already gone swimming since then. I love the ocean. What happened was incredibly unlikely,” Bowles said.

Bowles did, however, say she was temporarily putting a pause to swimming in her wetsuit in the waters.

“That seems unadvisable at the time,” she said. “Hopefully ‘Steve’ moves on and I’ll get right back to it.”

“Steve’s” sighting off the shore of Stoney Beach was the first in the area in over two decades.

The last confirmed sighting of a great white in Buzzards Bay was in 2004, according to Cape and Islands.

“The general perception that white sharks are predominantly along the Outer Cape is actually quite true based on the data we’ve collected,” shark biologist for the Division of Marine Fisheries Greg Skomal told the outlet. “But that’s not to say that sharks don’t move to other parts of Massachusetts, and we’ve been able to demonstrate that occasionally they do enter Buzzards Bay.”

“The best approach is that if you see a shark, don’t panic. The probability of being bitten is very, very low,” he said. “Nonetheless, if you’re concerned about your safety, just move away calmly and avoid interacting with the shark in any way.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
South Carolina AG demands death penalty against career criminal charged in college student’s murder

South Carolina Attorney General Calls for Death Penalty for Repeat Offender Accused of Killing College Student

South Carolina’s attorney general is urging a local prosecutor to pursue the…
Harvard faculty expressed support for potential left-wing political violence during 2018 panel

Harvard Professors Backed Possible Progressive Political Protests at 2018 Discussion

The city of Charlottesville took legal action against the group, alleging it…
Musk becomes first person worth $500B

Musk Achieves Status as First $500 Billion Individual

(The Hill) — Elon Musk, the technology tycoon, temporarily reached a net…
Flashback, 2020: Dem Candidates Unanimously Favor Free Healthcare for Illegal Aliens

Looking Back to 2020: Democratic Candidates Support Free Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants

Notice how, now that the country is caught up in the Schumer…
Lawmakers expect shutdown to drag on for at least a week

Legislators anticipate the government shutdown will continue for at least another week.

Senators anticipate the government shutdown will extend until at least the middle…
ICE in Chicago: Barricades set up for designated protest zones near Broadview ICE facility; Air Force veteran Dana Briggs arrested

Barricades Established for Protest Zones Near Chicago’s Broadview ICE Facility; Air Force Veteran Dana Briggs Among Those Arrested

BROADVIEW, Ill. (WLS) — Protesters rallied outside the Broadview U.S. Immigration and…
Prince William gives rare Kate Middleton cancer update in vulnerable talk with Eugene Levy

Prince William Shares Heartfelt Update on Kate Middleton’s Cancer Journey in Candid Conversation with Eugene Levy

Prince William provides a rare update on his wife, Kate Middleton, after…
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s bid for asylum, but he has 30 days to appeal

Judge Rejects Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Asylum Request, He Has 30 Days to File an Appeal

A U.S. immigration judge on Wednesday denied a bid for asylum from…
Missing woman's body found behind secret attic entrance in Northern California home

Remains of Missing Woman Discovered Behind Hidden Attic Door in Northern California House

Police say they found the body of a missing woman behind a…
Woman caught on camera allegedly lunging at MAGA activist in viral confrontation

Video Allegedly Shows Woman Confronting MAGA Supporter in Viral Altercation

A physical confrontation at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station went viral after conservative…
10-time Olympic medalist Caeleb Dressel joining Sporting JAX Aquatic Club

Olympic Superstar Caeleb Dressel Joins Sporting JAX Aquatic Club

Dressel, hailing from Green Cove Springs, is about to reconnect with one…
Student uproar erupts at elite college after professor put on leave over ties to far-left gun club

Elite College in Turmoil as Professor’s Suspension Linked to Far-Left Gun Club Sparks Student Protests

The community at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gathered…