Cape Cod surfer shares harrowing weekend account concerning himself, his cousin, and a shark

A Cape Cod surfer recalled a very close call with a shark this past weekend.

Ray Trautz took to social media Sunday to share his harrowing story.

“On November 4th, 2023, at about noon, my cousin Pete Emond and I were surfing by ourselves over in front of the VIP house at Coast Guard beach. Pete was sitting on his board, and I was standing on mine when I looked over my shoulder and a 10’ Great white Shark was on track right at Pete’s legs.

The shark even turned on its side as if to take a leg. In that moment I yelled SHAARRRRK as Pete was still unaware. As I yelled, I stabbed my paddle into the water at the back of the shark and it violently turned at me, tail and head thrashing back and forth erupting the water. The shark’s massive tail section almost hit Pete in the face.

I was yelling for Pete to go and get to shore as the shark circled behind me very aggressive and agitated. As the shark circled, I circled and kept him from being behind me. In that moment a small wave came across the bar and in two quick strokes I was flying towards the beach.

We both escaped unharmed and a little shaken. I’ve seen a hundred white sharks while surfing but this takes the top of all my shark interactions.”

The encounter was also shared by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy with a message. “Their experience is an important reminder that sharks are still in the area.”