Young wakeboarder, aged 12, nearly encounters a colossal alligator while on the water
In a surprising turn of events, a TikTok video showcases 12-year-old Clair Hurta's close encounter with a large alligator while practicing wakesurfing on the Colorado River in Bay City, Texas. The video, recorded by Clair's mother, Crystal Hurta, has garnered over 543,000 views since its release in late July 2025.
Clair, a competitive wakesurfer sponsored by Pure Wakesurf, is seen waiting in the water between practice rides when the alligator surfaces just feet behind her. Despite the proximity, Clair maintains her composure, smiling and laughing, briefly looking back at the reptile before continuing without showing any signs of fear. Crystal comments that the alligator was "pretty big," with its head clearly visible above the water.
The video captures the moment Clair turns around, still smiling and laughing, before returning to her wakesurfing. Crystal jokingly notes that a snake would be more likely to make Clair leave the water. The video, filled with Clair's infectious laughter and the alligator's unexpected appearance, has been shared widely on TikTok with tags related to wakesurfing, alligators, and the Colorado River.
The encounter serves as a testament to Clair's composure as a young competitive athlete and the occasional surprises that come with wakesurfing on natural Texas waterways. The exact species of the alligator remains undisclosed, and the location of the incident was not specified to be a known alligator habitat. However, it is clear that Clair's calm demeanour and quick wit have made this encounter a memorable one.
Despite the close call, no injury or harm was reported during the encounter. The video ends with Clair successfully completing her wakesurfing practice, leaving viewers in awe of her resilience and determination. As the video continues to gain traction, it serves as a reminder of the thrilling and unpredictable nature of water sports and the incredible stories they can produce.
Sports can be unpredictable, as demonstrated by 12-year-old Clair Hurta's wakesurfing incident on the Colorado River, which involved a close encounter with a large alligator. The video of this event, filled with Clair's infectious laughter and the alligator's unexpected appearance, has captured the attention of many TikTok users and showcases the thrilling nature of sports.
