California Beach Closed During Memorial Day Weekend After Surfer Survives Encounter With Shark

By Rick Martin May 27 2024, 22:07 PM EDT

It was supposed to be a busy day at a popular beach in Southern California because of Memorial Day Weekend. However, a surfer's harrowing encounter with a shark changed that as San Clemente's 2-mile stretch was ordered to be closed after a shark's reported "aggressive" behavior towards a surfer.

San Clemente Marine Safety Lt. Sean Staubenbaur told the Associated Press that the surfer was not hurt but was bumped by what he called a "dark object swimming toward him."

The beach remained open on Monday, but those going there received a warning from authorities to stay out of the water. It remained open until 8:00 PM.

Usually, sightings of large sharks that measure around 10 feet or longer would make authorities close the beach for up to several hours. However, "aggressive behavior" from any shark would prompt a 24-hour shutdown, pending no additional shark sightings, holiday weekend or not. This is usually for safety reasons.

Despite the beach being closed, 6-year-old Waylon Andino still set up a lemonade stand for a fundraiser. His mom, Kylie Andino, stated, "It's Memorial Day weekend, we'll live it up and have fun with the kids regardless and enjoy each other's company."

In the end, nobody was hurt and no shark was sighted soon after. However, the area is known to be home to Great White Sharks.

California Surfer Talks About His Shark Encounter That Led to Beach Being Closed

The California surfer spoke to FOX 11 about his encounter and revealed that the shark was not really that big. The fact that it was aggressive towards him was enough to shut down the beach for a day, though. A shark bumping into a human is already considered to be "aggressive behavior."

The surfer, who is identified as Evan Garcia, told the outlet that a "4 to 6-foot juvenile shark" knocked him off his 7-foot board. Once knocked down into the water, he opened his eyes and saw the young shark.

"When that thing hit me from below, I knew right away that it was a shark. There's people out there who have been injured by sharks. And I'm so lucky that it only got my board," said Garcia. "My mom bought me that board three years ago and I've surfed with that board in Mexico. I've surfed with that board all up and down the coast. But he made that board strong and that board saved my life."

Soon enough, Garcia approached a nearby lifeguard and showed him the surfboard. The lifeguard then showed a picture of the damage to the board to a shark expert who immediately confirmed it was a shark. This led to authorities clearing the beach.

How Safe Are Beaches in San Clemente, California From Shark Attacks?

Shark attacks in San Clemente and the rest of Orange County are in fact, very rare. They do happen, but it is not that often, as popular media and movies like "Jaws" would suggest.

As Patch pointed out, Orange County has only a total of 6 non-fatal shark attacks and one fatal offshore attack. The lone fatal attack happened after a surfer was bitten by an unidentified shark in 2009.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Ocean closed to beachgoers after 'aggressive' shark sightings in San Clemente - KTLA 5