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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Erin Keller

Terrifying video shows moments giant alligator swims up behind 12-year-old wakeboarder in Texas

Texas Leo XIV TikTok
Clair Hurta, a 12-year-old competitive wakesurfer, encountered a nuisance alligator in the Colorado River in Texas over the weekend - (TikTok/@malibuwakeclm288)

A viral TikTok video captured the jaw-dropping moment a 12-year-old Texas wakesurfer came face‑to‑face with an alligator, but played it cool despite the scare.

Clair Hurta, a competitive wakesurfer backed by Pure Wakesurf, was taking a break between practice runs on the Colorado River near Bay City, Texas, this past weekend when an alligator suddenly surfaced just feet behind her. The close call, captured on video by her mother, Crystal Hurta, has since racked up nearly 543,000 views of TikTok.

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