The 13 most insane shark encounters of this year

Sharks are some of the most feared and loathed creatures in the animal kingdom.

But for all the hype spurred by "Shark Week" and movies like "Jaws," the odds of actually being attacked by one are pretty slim - about 1 in 11.5 million.

Still, humanity can't help but be intrigued, and a little frightened, by the odd encounter with one of these magnificent oceangoing beasts.

Here are a few of the most incredible encounters with sharks so far this year.