As surfers tackled the waves at Ocean Beach yesterday morning, a large adult great white shark was captured dramatically leaping out of the water feet behind them. 

The sighting was captured around 8:47am by Surfline's Cam Rewind. "I saw it straight on,” Ocean Beach surfer Nicky Masturzo told Surfline. “And when I saw that white belly go up and the super defined white of pectoral fins, I knew what it was. I told everyone around me and went in."

Hoodline spoke to Mary Jane Schramm, spokeswoman for the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, who confirmed that the video shows a great white shark. "The dark tips on the undersides of the underfins—that was the clincher," she said. 

Schramm said that given the size of the shark, compared to the surfers in the foreground, it was most likely an adult great white out hunting for harbor seals and sea lions in the water. 

"This is a big guy. They're not seen all that often off Ocean Beach," she said. "We've also had smaller, younger white sharks come up here, possibly because of the warmer waters. They can't tolerate the colder waters the way the adult ones can."

Ocean Beach surfers and swimmers need to be careful, Schramm said. While sharks are not looking for a human meal, it's all too easy for them to mistake people in the water for their prey.

"Don’t get caught up in the food web," Schramm warned, who recommends surfers and swimmers have a buddy system if they are out in the waters. "If you are in the ocean, you are in the food web. [A shark attack] is survivable, but the consequences are very dire." 

Interested in learning more about great whites and other sharks in the Bay Area's waters? Consider attending the National Marine Sanctuary's "Sharktober Fest," which will be held on October 15th. The event will feature games, activities, live music, a mini film festival, and live sharks.

Thanks to tipster Josh W., who pointed us to the footage.