Great White Shark “Photo Bombs” an Unsuspecting Surfer

Photographer Jordan Anast captured a surreal moment of a shark breaching just behind surfer Tyler Warren during the San Onofre Surf Club contest on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.

California-based photographer Jordan Anast found himself in the right place at the right time when he was able to capture a rare moment during a surf competition. Anast was photographing the San Onofre Surf Club contest near San Diego when something spectacular occurred. As he was photographing surfer Tyler Warren on a wave, a great white shark leapt out of the water, making for the ultimate photo bomb.

Seeing a shark breach is relatively rare, so Anast initially thought that he'd photographed a dolphin. But, once it became clear that what he'd actually witnessed was a shark, he couldn't believe his luck. “It’s a shot I’ll never get again,” he shared. “It just looks like Sharknado, it doesn’t look real.”

Warren continued his run blissfully unaware of what had just happened behind him. Surfers in the area are accustomed to seeing sharks, as San Onofre State Beach is a breeding ground for juvenile great white sharks. According to the San Onofre Surf Club, which posted a different view of the great white leap, it appeared that the young shark was trying to catch a pelican.

For Anast, who has taken millions of photos of surfers on the beach, it was a weekend to remember. “I get satisfaction stopping time and creating a moment that lasts forever,” he said. And, certainly, this was a moment that warranted capturing.

See more of Anast's stunning surf photography on his Instagram.

In this incredible sequence by Jodan Anast, watch a great white shark leap out of the water behind surfer Tyler Warren.