Paddleboarder's unknown close shark encounter

A group of paddleboarders off the coast of California had no idea how close they came to the ocean's greatest predator, in an encounter captured by a drone flying above the waves.

The thrill seekers came across the stealthy shark in the waters off Manhattan Beach, south of Los Angeles and uploaded to YouTube on Sunday.

As the boarders cruise around in the flat sea swell the surfboard-length fish swims just below the surface.

While its dark silhouette is clearly visible in the green sea, the wave riders have no idea the shark is swimming within touching distance of them.

As one boarder skims across the surface of the water on a small wave he fails to notice the shark and cruises right over the top of its dorsal fin.

The surfer has no idea what he missed but lucky for him the shark appears unfazed.

Manhattan Beach is no stranger to shark attacks with one man surviving a great white bite as recently as Saturday morning.

Source: Jukin Video - YouTube
Author: Nicholas McCallum, Approving editor: Martin Zavan