A California fisherman was forced to swim to shore after a suspected shark struck his kayak about a mile offshore, capsizing the vessel and leaving it too damaged to stay afloat. The incident occurred near Leffingwell Landing in Cambria around 9:30 a.m. Monday, according to the Cambria Fire Department.
The fisherman was thrown into the water when something struck the underside of his kayak, but he managed to climb back aboard and paddle towards shore. However, punctures in the hull caused the kayak to fill with water, forcing him to swim the rest of the way. He reached shore without injuries.
Firefighters responded after the fisherman reached land and launched a rescue boat to recover the damaged kayak, along with his fishing gear and personal belongings. Dr. Chris Lowe of California State University, Long Beach's Shark Lab reviewed photographs of the damage and determined it was reasonable to suspect a shark was responsible. However, officials emphasized that shark involvement has not been definitively confirmed.
This is not the first time a shark has been suspected of interacting with a kayak in the area. In 2012, a fisherman reported a similar encounter near Leffingwell Landing, and in 2019, another fisherman reported a shark biting his kayak about two miles offshore.
The incident has prompted the Cambria Fire Department to urge ocean users to exercise additional caution and be aware of their surroundings when in the water.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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