Junior lifeguard competition cancelled after 15 great white sharks spotted swimming near shore in California beach

The NorCal Junior Lifeguards competition was cancelled following the reported sightings of at least 15 great white sharks swimming near the shore in Aptos, Santa Cruz. Helicopters and boats were sent off to determine the situation before the event, confirming that there were about more than a dozen of the big, feared marine creatures swimming near the area. News of sharks spotted near the shores in different places has become a headline topic over past weeks after several shark attacks were reported.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - "Today I went up with Specialized Helicopters and we witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event. We saw over 15 great white sharks swimming within a quarter mile radius. It is a treat to see one or two this time of year, but in my 20 plus years at sea, I have never seen anything like this," said Boat Capt. Giancarlo Thomae who had watched, counted and photographed the sharks from a helicopter.

He reported the animals swimming within a quarter-mile radius near the cement ship at Seacliff State Beach that Thursday afternoon, according to the KSBW. The competition was cancelled at 2 p.m. following the report of sharks near the area.

"Fifteen magnificent and feared animals can swim within feet of hundreds of Junior Lifeguards without anybody even knowing it. These sharks were most likely feeding far offshore and swam into shallow, warm waters to warm up," Thomae told KSBW.

The NorCal Junior Lifeguards competition is typically made up of children and teenagers driven from Northern and Central California for the event. The annual event includes physical challenges from running on sand to swimming out to buoys. It was reported that dolphins and great white sharks are often observed swimming within Seacliff.

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