California Fisherman Swims to Shore After Suspected Shark Encounter

A fisherman in California was compelled to swim to shore after his kayak was struck by what officials suspect was a shark, causing the vessel to capsize about a mile off the coast. The incident occurred near Leffingwell Landing in Cambria around 9:30 a.m. on a Monday.

The fisherman was thrown into the water when something impacted the underside of his kayak. Although he managed to climb back aboard, punctures to the hull caused the kayak to fill with water, making it impossible to keep afloat. He ultimately had to swim the remainder of the distance to shore.

According to the Cambria Fire Department, the fisherman arrived on land unharmed. Firefighters responded to the scene and deployed a rescue boat to retrieve the damaged kayak and the fisherman's belongings.

Dr. Chris Lowe from California State University, Long Beach's Shark Lab reviewed photographs of the damage to the kayak and concluded that a shark strike was a plausible cause, the fire department stated. However, officials emphasized that the involvement of a shark has not been definitively confirmed.

This area has experienced similar incidents in the past. In May 2012, another fisherman's kayak was struck near Leffingwell Landing, leading to him being thrown into the water and his vessel being damaged. More recently, in 2019, a fisherman reported an encounter with a great white shark that bit his kayak approximately two miles offshore from Leffingwell Landing. In that instance, the fisherman was thrown overboard but was able to return to his vessel before being rescued by a nearby boater; he sustained no injuries.

Data from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, updated in January 2026, indicates 233 shark incidents have been documented in California since 1950, with 36 of those involving kayaks or canoes. These records encompass encounters where sharks make contact with watercraft, even without injuries occurring.

State wildlife officials suggest that some white shark encounters may be investigative actions by the sharks as they explore unfamiliar objects in the water, such as kayaks. This behavior does not necessarily mean the shark was attempting to prey on a person.

Following the recent suspected encounter, the Cambria Fire Department advised ocean users to exercise increased caution, remain aware of their surroundings, and avoid entering the water if sharks appear to be active. For immediate threats or emergencies, the department encouraged calling 911.