A 75-year-old diver named John Brooks had a close encounter with a great white shark off the coast of Hubbards, N.S. during a recent dive. Brooks, originally from Massachusetts but now residing in Florida, was exploring Nova Scotia for the first time with his wife.
Brooks, who has less than 50 dives under his belt, was guided by Eric Peterson, an experienced instructor from Torpedo Rays. While diving near Fox Point Beach, they were surprised by the appearance of the great white shark, a sight neither of them had ever encountered before in the wild.
Peterson, who has completed over 500 dives in various locations worldwide, described the shark as a juvenile around three meters long. He emphasized the importance of remaining calm and motionless when encountering such predators underwater.
The interaction with the shark lasted only a few minutes but left a lasting impression on both divers. This rare sighting has sparked envy among their colleagues at Torpedo Rays, who have never witnessed a great white shark in that area before.
According to shark researcher Chris Harvey-Clark, sightings of great white sharks in Nova Scotia have been on the rise in recent years. The increase in encounters signals a potential shift in the shark population dynamics, although more research is needed to understand the phenomenon better.
Brooks, still reeling from the excitement of the unexpected encounter, expressed his thrill at crossing paths with the great white shark. Despite not having it on his bucket list, he now considers it a remarkable experience in his adventurous life, which has included serving in the Vietnam War and participating in various daring activities.
Looking ahead, Brooks is eager to combine his love for diving with a new adventure—skydiving. The unexpected encounter with the great white shark has only fueled his appetite for more thrilling experiences in the future.