Florida Man Headbutted by Shark While Surfing in New Smyrna Beach
A surreal shark encounter captured on camera shocks even Florida’s most seasoned surfers
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — New Smyrna Beach has long held the dubious distinction of being the “Shark Bite Capital of the World,” but even by Florida standards, what happened to surfer Darren Kaye this week defies belief—and gravity.
While catching waves near Ponce Inlet, Kaye was struck in the face by a leaping shark in a bizarre and unexpected collision. The dramatic moment, which was captured on video, shows the shark breaching the water just as Kaye was riding what’s known as a fish surfboard—adding a layer of irony to an already surreal situation.
“Kind of ironic, right? You’re riding a fish and the shark tries to get your fish,” Kaye joked afterward, brushing off the incident with classic surfer calm. He was unharmed, though visibly stunned during the moment of impact.
The Shark Capital Lives Up to Its Name
Volusia County, home to New Smyrna Beach, routinely leads the world in unprovoked shark bites, according to the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Most of these incidents are minor and occur when sharks mistake hands or feet for prey in murky water. What makes Kaye’s case unusual is that the shark didn’t bite—it body-slammed him.
Marine biologists believe the shark may have been chasing baitfish and inadvertently collided with the surfer during the chase. “Sharks don’t typically jump at humans intentionally,” explained Dr. Tracy Fanara, a Florida-based environmental engineer and NOAA scientist. “But when they’re in predatory mode and chasing smaller fish, they sometimes don’t register larger objects until it’s too late.”
Viral Video Sparks Global Attention
The footage of the incident, shared on social media and picked up by national outlets, has since gone viral. From Reddit threads to TikTok replays, millions have watched Kaye’s face-to-fin moment in awe—and a bit of disbelief.
“It’s like something out of a Discovery Channel blooper reel,” wrote one Reddit commenter. Another joked, “That shark wasn’t biting, it was throwing hands.”
But the reality is that this encounter could have been much worse. Had the shark opened its mouth or been moving with more force, the outcome might not have been as lighthearted.
Staying Safe in Shark-Infested Waters
Despite the freak nature of the event, experts insist that shark attacks remain extremely rare, and surfers are at far greater risk of injury from their own boards or wipeouts than from marine life.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends a few basic precautions for avoiding unwanted shark encounters:
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Avoid surfing at dawn, dusk, or near schools of fish.
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Stay in groups—sharks are more likely to attack lone individuals.
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Don’t wear shiny jewelry, which can resemble fish scales in sunlight.
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Refrain from excessive splashing or erratic movement in the water.
Florida: Still Wild, Still Dangerous, Still Home
Incidents like this are a reminder that Florida remains one of the last true frontiers of wild nature in the United States. It’s a place where people build million-dollar homes next to alligator-infested canals, host weddings in hurricane season, and yes—ride waves where apex predators roam beneath.
For locals like Darren Kaye, it’s all just part of the ride. “That’s the price of living in paradise,” he said, laughing. “You might catch a wave—or catch a fin to the face.”
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