Shark Chasing Seal Nearly Capsizes Kayaker in New Zealand

A kayaker captured the heart-stopping moments his vessel was rammed twice by a shark as it hunted a seal in waters off New Zealand's eastern cape. Greg Potter from GP Fishing Adventures told Storyful he was fishing for southern bluefin tuna on Saturday, August 26, when he encountered the shark attacking the seal and began filming the dramatic chase. "The scene was exhilarating and I was in awe," Potter told Storyful. Distracted by the commotion, Potter said he was slow to notice the seal was moving toward his kayak. "The seal decided that my kayak would make a great hiding spot," he said. "It raced full speed towards the kayak and crashed into the side of it. The shark of course followed and leapt clean out of the water right behind my kayak before also smashing into the side of the kayak in hot pursuit of the seal," Potter added. The seal then came back around as Potter tried to make a retreat, leaping out of the water onto the left of his kayak, Potter said. "Shortly afterwards the shark again smashed into the underside of the kayak, this time with such force that I was almost knocked out of the kayak," he continued. Potter said he quickly put his phone away to try and escape the shark, but said the pair continued the chase behind him. "I don't know how the chase ended, but I'd like to think the seal escaped," Potter said. "That may be wishful thinking however," he added. (Footage by Greg Potter/GP Fishing Adventures/Storyful via Getty Images UGC)