Watch: Leaping Dolphin Shocks Surfer at California Beach

A California surfer recently had the scare of his life when a playful dolphin suddenly came out of the water and leaped a few feet behind him.

Footage captured on camera shows the amusing encounter, which took place off Redondo Beach in Los Angeles County, California, on Monday, For the Win reported. Tim Earling was trying to catch a wave and immediately stopped when the cute animal took flight.

“It was not my first encounter with them, but I’m always shocked when I see them up close,” Earling told For The Win. “I always look twice to make sure it’s not a shark.”

In a Facebook post, Earling wrote that the dolphin nearly jumped on top of him, as his friend with a Soloshot camera recorded the video from the shore. No one was hurt during the water encounter.

According to National Geographic, bottlenose dolphins can grow up to 14 feet in length and weigh 1,100 pounds. These creatures, which feed on bottom-dwelling fish, shrimp, and squid, are known to hangout near fishing boats, in hopes that they’ll get to have some leftovers.

More on Geek.com: