A kayaker had a nerve-wracking encounter with a shark while paddling off the coast of Tazacorte, La Palma on Saturday. The peaceful excursion turned into an unexpected adventure when a shark came uncomfortably close, prompting the kayaker to defend himself with his paddle… and a few choice words in Spanish!
As the shark circled near the kayak, the kayaker shouted, "¡Cabrón, sale pa’ lla, pa’ casa el carajo!" (loosely translating to "Get outta here, damn it!"), while striking the water with his paddle to scare it away.
Fortunately, the shark showed no signs of aggression, but its proximity was enough to put the kayaker on high alert. After several attempts to frighten the shark, it finally swam off, leaving the kayaker to continue his journey, albeit heading to land very quickly.
Though shark sightings in this area are uncommon, experts note that species like the blue shark, often found in Canary Island waters, typically avoid humans and boats. In this case, however, the close encounter transformed a leisurely paddle into an unforgettable experience.
Authorities reassured the public that these sharks generally pose no threat to humans, but advise people to stay calm if they come across one.
