Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

If You Are Afraid of Sharks, Don't Watch This In Australia, a drone captures footage of a five-foot white shark inches away from pro surfer Matt Wilkinson.

By Entrepreneur Staff

Stephen Frink | Getty Images

There's nothing like a close call to make you appreciate success. In the case of World Championship Tour surfer Matt Wilkinson, success came in the form of not getting nipped during a close encounter with an inquisitive great white shark near the town of Ballina in Australia.

"I was surfing out the back at Sharpes Beach and just cruising on my own and I heard a splash and a noise and looked around and couldn't see anything," Wilkinson told Surflifesaving.com. "Then the drone came down and told me that there was a dangerous shark in the area, return to the beach."

Related: Drones May One Day Deliver Your Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

Wilkinson says he was shocked when he saw the footage, not realizing how close the shark came. "It looks like it's going for my leg and it's changed its mind."

The drone or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) was on a routine surveillance flight. A built-in speaker warned Wilkinson that there was a dangerous shark in the area, and he should swim back to shore.

Wilkinson says he feels grateful and "pretty weird" about the close encounter. He noted that his wife has requested that he not go surfing for a couple of days.

Related: 11 Ways to Overcome Fear During a Crisis

Entrepreneur Staff

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor

For more than 30 years, Entrepreneur has set the course for success for millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. We'll teach you the secrets of the winners and give you exactly what you need to lay the groundwork for success.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Career

Is Consumer Services a Good Career Path for 2024? Here's the Verdict

Consumer services is a broad field with a variety of benefits and drawbacks. Here's what you should consider before choosing it as a career path.

Business News

'Creators Left So Much Money on the Table': Kickstarter's CEO Reveals the Story Behind the Company's Biggest Changes in 15 Years

In an interview with Entrepreneur, Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor explains the decision-making behind the changes, how he approaches leading Kickstarter, and his advice for future CEOs.

Business Ideas

87 Service Business Ideas to Start Today

Get started in this growing industry, with options that range from IT consulting to childcare.