Shark attack in Santa Cruz triggers beach closure
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KGO) -- A mile-long stretch of beach off the coast of Santa Cruz has been shut down following a shark attack.
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The incident occurred around 11 a.m. when a great white shark bit a kayak offshore of Steamer Lane.
The City of Santa Cruz is ordering everyone to stay out of the ocean between the San Lorenzo River Mouth and Fair Avenue for the next four days.
Steve Lawson was out paddling beyond the kelp bed when he felt something nudge his kayak.
He says he looked down as the great white bit the front of it, sending Lawson into the water.
He contacted harbor patrol with a marine radio to be rescued.
Lawson has been kayaking for 25 years and says he's never seen anything like this.
Santa Cruz Police tweeted this photo of Lawson after the incident. He says he has no plans to stop kayaking despite the close encounter.
