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
FBI raids home and offices of major Los Angeles school district superintendent

FBI Conducts Search at Los Angeles School Superintendent’s Home and Offices

On Wednesday, federal authorities executed a search operation concerning the superintendent of…
Woman reported missing in New Haven last year arrested for bank fraud in California

Missing New Haven Woman Resurfaces with Shocking Twist: Arrested for California Bank Fraud

A woman who vanished in New Haven last year has resurfaced in…
NJ Gov Mikie Sherrill booed at Devils game honoring Jack Hughes Olympic gold medal

NJ Governor Mikie Sherrill Faces Boos During Jack Hughes Olympic Gold Medal Ceremony at Devils Game

Governor Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey found herself in the midst of…
Chicago Bears news: Illinois lawmakers file amended bill, Indiana House approves bill to invest $1B into Hammond NFL stadium

Illinois Lawmakers Revise Bill as Indiana Greenlights $1B Investment for Hammond NFL Stadium

CHICAGO (WLS) — Significant progress unfolded late Wednesday concerning the Chicago Bears’…
Man sentenced for Texas crash that killed founding member of The Chicks

Texas Man Sentenced for Fatal Crash Involving The Chicks’ Founding Member

In a tragic turn of events, Laura Lynch, one of the original…
The Louvre names Christophe Leribault as boss months after historic jewel heist

Christophe Leribault Appointed Director of the Louvre Following Landmark Jewel Heist

PARIS — A new leader is set to take the helm at…
Employee using a trash can to repeatedly fend off an alleged attacker.

Watch: Whataburger Employees Heroically Repel Attacker Using Only a Trash Can and Fry Basket

The phrase “Don’t Mess with Texas” took on new life recently when…
KTLA brutally fires top reporter on her 40th birthday — as she releases cryptic podcast message

Top KTLA Journalist Let Go on Milestone Birthday Amid Mysterious Podcast Remarks

In a shocking turn of events, KTLA has terminated one of its…
Daughter detailed family turmoil before North Carolina mom vanished for 24 years before turning up alive

Unraveling the Mystery: Daughter Reveals Family Secrets in 24-Year Disappearance of North Carolina Mom

A North Carolina woman, reported missing over 20 years ago, has been…
Kim Jong Un calls South Korea ‘most hostile enemy,’ says North could ‘completely destroy’ it

Kim Jong Un Labels South Korea as ‘Most Hostile Enemy,’ Threatens Complete Destruction

In a stark escalation of rhetoric, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un…
DOJ sought to 'brief' Biden on Mar-a-Lago raid before search -- didn't 'give a damn about the optics'

DOJ Prioritized Justice Over Optics: Sought to Inform Biden on Mar-a-Lago Raid Plans Pre-Search

In a revealing twist, recently unearthed emails suggest that the Department of…
Rep. Ilhan Omar claims State of the Union guest Aliya Rahman was 'forcibly removed' and arrested for standing

Rep. Ilhan Omar Condemns Arrest of State of the Union Guest Aliya Rahman for Standing: A Call for Justice and Accountability

Representative Ilhan Omar expressed her outrage after one of her guests at…