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

A fisherman reached shore safely after an object struck his kayak about a mile off Leffingwell Landing near Cambria, California, capsizing it and forcing him to swim. Fire officials said photographs of the punctured hull made a shark a reasonable explanation, but stressed that its involvement has not been confirmed.

The incident happened at about 9:30 a.m. on Monday. The fisherman first climbed back into the kayak and paddled towards shore, but it began filling with water; firefighters later recovered the damaged craft and his belongings. California has recorded 233 shark incidents since 1950, including 36 involving kayaks or canoes, though the records include contact with equipment and do not necessarily involve injuries.