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New Smyrna Beach, FL - A surfer enjoying the waves off Florida’s Space Coast found himself in a jaw-dropping moment when a shark leapt from the ocean and struck him in the face.
The incident happened near New Smyrna Beach, a well-known surfing hotspot located about 15 miles south of Daytona Beach.
According to reports, local surfer Darren Kaye was riding waves Friday evening when a spinner shark shot out of the water and hit him midair.
The wild moment was captured on camera by Surfline’s remote monitoring system.
Kaye described the shark’s impact as feeling like being hit by a truck.
The animal’s nose allegedly collided with his face while one of its fins made contact with his arm.
Remarkably, Kaye continued surfing for nearly another hour after the close encounter and later shared the footage with friends and family on social media.
Spinner sharks are common in Florida’s coastal waters and are recognized by marine experts for their spinning leaps while chasing prey.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, adult spinner sharks can grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh over 100 pounds.
Despite the unexpected collision, Kaye was not injured.
He called the experience “absolutely nuts” but brushed it off as another day at the inlet.
No emergency services were called to the scene.