Suspected shark knocks fisherman off kayak a mile off California coast, forcing swim to shore

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, according to fire officials.

The fisherman was near Leffingwell Landing in Cambria around 9:30 a.m. Monday when something struck the underside of his kayak, throwing him into the water, the Cambria Fire Department said in a Facebook post.

He managed to climb back aboard and paddle toward shore, but punctures in the hull caused the kayak to fill with water, forcing him to swim the rest of the way.

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The fisherman reached shore without injuries, according to the department.

Firefighters responded after he 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, according to the fire department.

However, officials emphasized that shark involvement has not been definitively confirmed.

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The area has seen similar encounters before. In May 2012, a shark struck a fishing kayak near Leffingwell Landing, throwing fisherman Joey Nocchi into the water and damaging his vessel. Nocchi escaped without injuries, according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife records and reports from the time.

Another fisherman, David Zamora, reported a similar encounter near Cambria in 2019, when a roughly 10-foot great white shark bit his kayak about two miles offshore from Leffingwell Landing, according to local news outlet KSBY. Zamora was thrown into the water but managed to climb back aboard before a nearby boater rescued him. He was not injured.

California has documented 233 shark incidents since 1950, including 36 involving kayaking or canoeing, according to Department of Fish and Wildlife figures updated in January 2026. The agency's records include encounters in which sharks make contact with kayaks, surfboards or other equipment, even when no injuries occur.

State wildlife officials say some white shark encounters may involve exploratory bites as the animals investigate unfamiliar objects in the water, including kayaks. Such behavior does not necessarily indicate that a shark was attempting to prey on a person.

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Following Monday's suspected encounter, the Cambria Fire Department urged ocean users to exercise additional caution, remain aware of their surroundings and avoid entering the water when sharks are visibly active.

The department also encouraged anyone facing an immediate threat or emergency to call 911.