While training for a 32-mile foil surfing race off Oahu's coast, Nick Kapule had a chilling encounter with what he initially believed to be a whale. As he paddled closer, a substantial, sharp tail fin, estimated at 4-5 feet, emerged from the water, revealing the creature's true identity: a 20-foot great white shark.

Kapule, riding a foil surfboard – essentially a hoverboard for water – described the moment as terrifying, fearing he might fall into the water with the massive predator. "Please, just don't fall," he recounted thinking, emphasizing the precarious nature of his board. He focused on staying calm and creating as little disturbance as possible as he carefully maneuvered away from the shark.

Five minutes later, Kapule was safely clear of the shark, relieved and unharmed. Although shark sightings are not uncommon in the area, Kapule noted that encountering one of this magnitude is rare. After sharing his GoPro footage on Instagram, others confirmed similar sightings of the same shark, highlighting the creature's presence in local waters.

Lifeguards later identified the shark as a great white known to frequent the area and advised surfers to aim for the shark's nose if approached, while also reminding them that the ocean is the shark's natural habitat and should be treated with respect.