A few miles off the coast of Oahu’s North Shore, choppy Crystal Blue Pacific Waters features one of the most misunderstood predators in nature, the Galapagos shark.
“CBS Mornings” co-host Nate Burleson Recently joined the Hawaiian Island Waterman to confront the lifelong fear of sharks and present new experiences as part of the “CBS Morning” “Never Slow” series, which is not swimming among these majestic creatures.
“They are so majestic and powerful. They’re incredible guys. I can’t believe I did it,” Burleson said of the moment he came out of the water. “I don’t even know what I was expecting, but I didn’t expect that.”
An expedition following a skydive with the US forces conquering Burleson’s previous terror brought him to face nine Galapagos sharks.
Dr Andrew Rositer, director of the Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu, said sharks are certainly predators, but humans are not natural prey.
“I’ve seen literally hundreds of sharks while I was diving,” Rossiter said. “It’s not that scary, but I’ve always had a great respect for them because I know what they can do.”
Burleson’s mother wasn’t very enthusiastic when she called to inform her son’s adventures.
“Yeah, I feel absolutely unwell about it,” she told him. “You’re serious, Nathaniel? I don’t trust you. I don’t trust sharks, and I don’t trust water! Period!”
Despite her mother’s concerns, Burleson found an unexpected peace underwater.
“I felt comfortable around them,” he recalled. “As they go round and peer at you… and if you look at them, you’re like, ‘What’s going on?”, they’re just amazing. ”
This experience changed his perspective, partially nurtured by the 1975 blockbuster Jaws, and changed how generations view sea predators.
“There was mutual respect,” Burleson said.
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