The terrifying moment a surfer comes face-to-face with a grey nurse shark after ignoring advice to avoid the water – and his MUM finds out about the close encounter on Instagram
- Jasper Oxley, 14, encountered a grey nurse shark at Tamarama Beach in Sydney
- He jumped into the water to catch a wave but got out when shark came close
- When the shark disappeared, Jasper hopped back in and continued to surf
- The grey nurse shark population in Australia has been declining for years
Incredible drone footage captures the terrifying moment a surfer encounters a grey nurse shark at a popular Sydney surf spot, with his mother commenting on the social media video in horror.
Jasper Oxley was warned about a grey nurse shark lurking at Tamarama Beach in Sydney on November 22.
However the 14-year-old was so keen to catch a wave he decided to take his chances anyway, with a drone controller promising to look out for him.
Jasper Oxley was warned that there was a grey nurse shark at Tamarama Beach in Sydney on November 22 (pictured)
The 14-year-old surfer was warned about the shark and he immediately turned around to safety
Jasper was floating in the water when he spotted the shark he’d been warned about, which started to make its away towards him.
He started to back away slowly before swiveling on his board and heading for shallower water.
The experience convinced the youngster to sit out of the water for a little while, before heading back in when the shark disappeared from the area.
The amazing footage was shared to Instagram and received more than 30,000 views and 3,700 likes.
It was only after the video was posted online that Jasper’s mother realised it was her son who came so close to the shark.
‘Holy sh*t! That’s my son!!’ She wrote alongside a laughing emoji.
His mother found out about the incident on Instagram (pictured: her comment)
When the shark disappeared, Jasper jumped back into the water to keep surfing
Grey nurse sharks in Australia have been declining in numbers over the past two decades, with the population sitting at 292 as of 2000.
The east coast population is listed as critically endangered while the west coast is listed as vulnerable.
They are protected under fisheries legislation in New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia.
They can grow to at least 3.6 metres in length and are often found just above the sea bed.
Their diet consists of fish, other sharks, squids, crabs and lobsters.
