{"id":341489,"date":"2026-07-15T23:43:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T23:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/341489\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T23:43:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T23:43:18","slug":"florida-fisherman-uses-speargun-to-hold-off-three-attacking-sharks-during-destin-dive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/341489\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida fisherman uses speargun to hold off three attacking sharks during Destin dive"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swim in ‘quiet areas’ of the ocean to avoid shark attacks: Shark researcher<\/a> <\/p>\n

Jesse Watters hosts Chris Fischer, founder of OCEARCH, to discuss the early surge in shark attacks this summer. Recent incidents include a New York beach closure due to bull sharks, a swimmer bitten in Queens, and a child attacked in knee-deep water in Florida. Fischer notes a rebound in shark populations to 1960s levels, advising beachgoers to avoid swimming when bait fish are active to stay safe.<\/p>\n

The only thing scarier than getting attacked by a shark \u2026 is getting attacked by three sharks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s exactly what happened to Florida spearfisherman Matthew Piendak<\/a>, who found himself surrounded by a trio of aggressive predators during a recent dive off the coast of Destin.<\/p>\n

Lucky for him, he escaped. And lucky for us, he captured the whole terrifying encounter on camera.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A shark swims under Jordan Lempke as she takes photos of tourists during an eco-tourism shark dive off Jupiter, Florida, on May 5, 2022. (Joseph Prezioso\/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Piendak was completing a safety stop \u2014 a brief pause during a diver\u2019s ascent that allows excess nitrogen to leave the body and reduces the risk of decompression sickness \u2014 when the sharks began closing in.<\/p>\n

POV footage<\/a> shows the animals repeatedly swimming directly toward him as Piendak uses his speargun to push them away and keep their mouths at a safe distance.<\/p>\n

Well, as safe as one can possibly be while fighting off three sharks underwater.<\/p>\n

Eventually, a nearby boat reached Piendak and pulled him from the Gulf before any of the sharks managed to bite him. He escaped the encounter without injury.<\/p>\n

TWO REGULAR JOES WILL COMPETE WITH PROS FOR $3.25M PURSE AT INAUGURAL ‘THE CHAMPIONS’ BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT<\/a><\/p>\n

Piendak is certainly no stranger to what lurks beneath the surface. His Instagram page<\/a> is filled with footage from dives, encounters with marine wildlife and the enormous fish he regularly brings back to shore. Dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles and massive schools of fish all make appearances.<\/p>\n

So do plenty of sharks.<\/p>\n

That comes with the territory when you spend a significant portion of your free time swimming around the Gulf carrying dead and wounded fish. But even an experienced diver probably does not expect to fend off three sets of teeth at the same time.<\/p>\n

\"Great <\/p>\n

A great white shark swims toward the camera in South Australia while cage diving. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Sharks do not typically view humans as prey, but, as wildlife biologist Forrest Galante explained<\/a> to OutKick Outdoors, a curious or agitated shark can still do plenty of damage with an exploratory bite.<\/p>\n

“They don\u2019t have hands,” Galante said. “They can\u2019t feel it, so that investigative bite can be very, very damaging and, in some cases, fatal. So when they\u2019re trying to figure out if something is or isn\u2019t food, that can be a problem. Most of the time, we\u2019re not even on the menu. They\u2019re just trying to figure out if we are.”<\/p>\n

Fortunately, Piendak never gave these three the opportunity for a nibble.<\/p>\n

He stayed composed, kept his speargun between himself and the sharks and held them off long enough for help to arrive.<\/p>\n

\"great <\/p>\n

Even in waters where sharks are frequently found, experts noted that human encounters rarely lead to bites. (iStock)<\/p>\n

That is an impressive display of calm under pressure from a man who is clearly comfortable in the water.<\/p>\n

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I, on the other hand, will continue enjoying sharks from the safety of dry land.<\/p>\n

Love all things wildlife and outdoors? Follow OutKick Outdoors on Instagram<\/a> and TikTok<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Amber Harding is a writer for OutKick.<\/p>\n