ORLEANS, MASS. (WHDH) - Orleans Natural Resources issued a warning to area residents on Friday after sharing a photo that showed a great white shark swimming just feet away from a surfer off Cape Cod.
The white shark sighting off Nauset Beach in Orleans was confirmed by the Orleans Natural Resource Office, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app.
“My heart was pounding pretty hard for a few seconds there,” 30-year-old surfer Deven Zimmerman said.
With a shark no more than 10 feet away, Zimmerman tried to stay calm as he scrambled back to shore.
“It kept on swimming by and then I kind of tried to figure out how to get back to the beach without causing too much of a commotion in the water,” he said.
Joe Mault was the photographer behind the lens who captured the stunning shot.
Both men said they are happy things ended the way they did.
Despite his close encounter, Zimmerman said he will be back out on his board again soon.
In a statement on Facebook, Orleans Natural Resource wrote, “As a reminder to all beach goers we continue into peak season for white shark activity. As of 8 a.m., there was a near encounter with a white shark and a surfer off Nauset Beach. Please remain vigilant.”
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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