Video captures drones colliding over and nearly beaning surfer

Though DroneDJ has on occasion both described and thrilled at the ways drones have improved the photos and videos captured of surfers carving up some of the largest or most difficult waves on the planet, it now draws attention to a clear downside of increased UAV activity over the lineup – a collision of craft that nearly took a rider out.

Footage of the crash was uploaded this week by Jamie O’Brien, who currently manages his pro surfing career from the North Shore of Oahu. Among the myriad activities related to the sport O’Brien is involved with is regular uploading of videos shot of himself and other surfers in a wide variety of circumstances – often taken from drones. In his most recent offering, the UAVs themselves play a starring role – alas, as the villain.

Read: Drone surf videos enhance footage shot on, in, and above waves 

The video captures a goofyfoot surfer riding a hollow, peeling left-breaking wave at Pipeline as a pair of…