California fisherman swims to shore after suspected shark strike

A fisherman was forced to swim approximately 1.6 kilometers to shore after a suspected shark strike damaged his kayak near Leffingwell Landing in Cambria, California. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Monday when an impact from beneath the vessel capsized the kayak and knocked the man into the water.

Although the fisherman initially attempted to paddle back to land, punctures in the hull caused the kayak to fill with water, necessitating a swim to the coast. The Cambria Fire Department responded to the scene after the man reached land, deploying a rescue boat to recover his damaged equipment and personal belongings. No injuries were reported.

Dr. Chris Lowe of the California State University, Long Beach Shark Lab reviewed photographs of the damage and stated it was reasonable to suspect a shark was responsible, though definitive confirmation was not made. Local authorities have advised caution in the area following recent shark sightings and reports of a seal being bitten near Pacific Grove.