I can’t tell you how many videos I’ve watched of sharks – specifically great whites, and specifically in California – circling or stalking or sniffing surfers.
Too many. I’ve become numb.
Likely, it’s due to the advent and proliferation of drones, turning any average individual into an aerial documentarian, but also, providing a new perspective on the ocean, and how many shark “encounters” go unnoticed every single day. But there’s one clip that has been making the rounds for weeks now, published by myriad media outlets, and eliciting a response unlike all the other clips. But why? Let’s take a look.
The original video comes from Nick Bertocchini of Lodi, California – a wedding photographer, occasional drone shark videographer, and high school theology teacher. The footage comes from Aptos, California, the small hamlet just south of Santa Cruz.
In response to the video being posted and reported on everywhere, Bertocchini decided to post it himself, and to add a little context:
“I guess I should officially post this video… it has gone ‘viral’ since @ksbw_8 posted it and it has now been shared by their nationwide affiliates. The people who sarcastically comment ‘wow! A shark in the ocean!’ are dumb.
“Of course it’s in the ocean… I’ve spent a lot of time flying my drone watching sharks around surfers and this was one of the only times I was actually nervous. I tried to warn the surfer, Rex, who I talked to afterwards, by revving the drones motors. And moving to the side of the shark. It’s something that has worked in the past in alerting surfers of sharks. Usually the sharks are slightly curious and move on quickly but this one seemed a little more investigative than usual. Glad no bites were exchanged! So much fun watching these amazing sharks!”
Related: ‘Double the Sharks’: Southern California Faces El Niño-Fueled Great White Frenzy
But what is it about this particular video? Is it that the shark noticeably takes a pass in the direction of the surfer? That the surfer suddenly notices what’s happening, then decides to paddle away? That must be it. Most of the time, the drone videos show surfers who are blissfully unaware of the creatures they’re sharing the water with.
And plus, everyone’s got shark fever – with the abnormally warm patch of warm water off the Pacific and the incoming El Niño, experts are expecting a “sharky” summer in Southern California. Fair warning: many more drone shark clips to come.
Related: $300k Raised for Young Mother Who Lost Arm in Great White Shark Attack
This story was originally published by Surfer on Jun 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Surfer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.