Overview
- Ron Takeda was trailed by a large shark off Santa Barbara, and the chase, which unfolded Saturday, was filmed by a friend who yelled “Don’t fall” and “Go, go, go.”
- The pursuit lasted about 10 minutes with the animal sometimes beneath his board, and Takeda finished his long-distance run after the shark swam off, riding another 12 miles.
- Hydrofoil boards use an underwater wing that lifts the board above the surface, which cuts drag and helps riders hold speed over long distances.
- Researchers report coastal waters about 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than usual near Santa Barbara, a condition linked to juvenile white sharks gathering closer to shore and returning earlier during El Niño cycles.
- Local managers are responding to more sightings, including a Huntington Beach surf contest postponed last week, though officials note shark bites in California remain rare.