Paddleboarding seems like a nice relaxing way to spend your Wednesday afternoon, right? Not so much for these group of paddleboarders who were warned about more than a dozen great white sharks getting a bit too close for comfort on Wednesday.
An OC Sheriff's helicopter capture footage of around 15 sharks hanging out near paddleboarders at Dana Point. Deputies aboard the helicopter used their PA system to warn the blissfully ignorant swimmers below that they had some company and to leave the water calmly.
"You are paddleboarding next to approximately 15 great white sharks," deputies called out to the swimmers below. Lifeguards are advising that you exit the water in a calm manner. The sharks are as close as the surfline."
Advisories about shark sightings have been posted for beaches up and down the Southern California coast after multiple shark sightings this week.
Leeanne Ericson, a 33-year-old mother of three children, was bitten by a shark while swimming at San Onofre State beach on April 29th resulting in a grievous injury. An update on the GoFundMe page her family set up says Ericson is breathing on her own and is able to talk with her family. The fundraiser for Ericson's medical expenses has raised nearly $80,000 so far.
While sharks sightings along the California coast are not rare, attacks are.