Video captures schoolboys’ shocking shark interaction
As Sydney deals with increased shark activity and a spate of bites, the moment a shark jumped out of a river near a group of students has been revealed on video.
The prestigious King’s School canceled rowing training for some crew and increased caution around others after the incident on the Parramatta River.
The footage shows a large shark surfacing about 30 meters away from King’s School students attending the rowing camp.
“Damn it,” the cameraman can be heard saying as the shark appears to circle in the air behind the crew passing the Newington Armory.
The 10th grade students were not harmed and returned to the pontoon without incident.
“The children were never in immediate danger,” rowing master Billy Richards assured parents in a letter.
In response to increased shark activity, all small boat training was suspended and additional coaching staff were deployed to monitor conditions and support the crew.
Crowds of swimmers and surfers evacuated the water at Coogee Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Thursday following reports of shark sightings.
A shark alarm was sounded at 7 a.m. and lifeguards patrolled the area on jet skis.
The beach was reopened at 08:00 in the morning after no shark was found.
Randwick mayor Dylan Parker reminded swimmers to be aware of conditions that could attract sharks, such as murky water after heavy rain, times of low light such as dawn or dusk, and areas where bait fish are abundant.
A 12-year-old boy fought for his life after being mauled by a shark in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Sunday.
Nico Antic suffered serious injuries to his legs after being bitten by a shark at a popular swimming spot in Vaucluse.
It was the first of four shark bites in three days in NSW, causing widespread community concern and beach closures.
Sydney’s Northern Beaches remained closed on Thursday due to an increased risk of shark activity after 27-year-old Andre de Ruyter was bitten while surfing at North Steyne near Manly.
Bull sharks were spotted along the beach between South Kingscliff Beach and Evans Head on the NSW Tweed Coast on Thursday morning.
The interactions triggered discussion about shark mitigation techniques, including drum lines and nets, and the warnings required when weather conditions increase shark activity.
