John Brooks, a 75-year-old scuba diver, had an unexpected encounter with a great white shark while diving near Hubbards, N.S. during his visit to Nova Scotia with his wife. The experienced diver, despite having less than 50 dives, found himself face-to-face with the apex predator near Fox Point Beach, guided by instructor Eric Peterson.
Peterson, with over 500 dives worldwide, including exotic locations like Indonesia and Thailand, was equally astonished by the rare sighting of the great white shark. The duo remained calm as the juvenile shark approached them curiously, creating a thrilling yet safe interaction that lasted a few minutes.
This remarkable experience, captured on video, has sparked excitement and envy among their peers at Torpedo Rays, where such encounters are unprecedented. Shark researcher Chris Harvey-Clark noted the increasing frequency of great white shark sightings in Nova Scotia in recent years, emphasizing the need for further scientific study to understand this phenomenon.
Despite the initial shock, John Brooks, a seasoned adventurer with a background in the military and extreme sports, embraced the unexpected encounter as a unique addition to his life’s adventures. Reflecting on the awe-inspiring moment, Brooks remains thrilled and now looks forward to combining his passion for diving with a new challenge – parachuting.
The rare and exhilarating encounter with the great white shark near Hubbards, N.S., serves as a reminder of the wonders and surprises that nature has to offer, leaving a lasting impression on those who witnessed it firsthand.