Great white shark leaps out of water near boogie boarder in Newport Beach

A startling video captured off the coast of Newport Beach on Saturday morning shows a juvenile great white shark leaping entirely out of the water near a local boogie boarder. The incident took place around 6:30 a.m. near Lifeguard Tower 40, as Soaren Stevenson filmed his brother in the water.

While the sight of a predator breaching near a swimmer often causes alarm, marine experts offer a different explanation for the behavior. Christopher Lowe, a professor of marine biology and director of the Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab, reviewed the footage and noted that the shark appears to be a young individual. He suggests that the breach is likely a form of natural behavior rather than an attack.

Lowe explains that these sharks frequently jump to dislodge parasites that attach to their skin. The movement helps them scratch areas they cannot otherwise reach, effectively relieving an itch. He also leaves open the possibility that the shark was simply active or playful.

Despite the proximity of the shark to the boogie boarder, the encounter ended without incident. The video serves as a reminder of the wildlife sharing the coastal waters of Southern California. For those who frequent the beach, experts encourage awareness of the environment while noting that such breaches are a standard part of a juvenile shark's life cycle.