A popular beach in Southern California was closed for Memorial Day after a surfer reported being bumped off his board by a shark. The closure was announced after the surfer reported the incident to lifeguards around 8 p.m. the night before the holiday. Despite the closure, the beach remained open to the public, but beachgoers were warned to stay out of the water until 8 p.m. the following day.
The surfer was not injured when he was bumped off his board by the shark. He reported seeing a large, dark object swimming towards him before the incident occurred. The San Clemente Marine Safety Lt. Sean Staubenbaur stated that any aggressive behavior from a shark automatically triggers a 24-hour shutdown of the beach, pending no additional shark sightings. This was the protocol followed in this situation.
Despite the beach closure, some beachgoers, such as 6-year-old Waylon Andino and his family, continued with their plans for the holiday. Waylon’s mother, Kylie Andino, told the Register that they planned to enjoy Memorial Day weekend and have fun with the kids regardless of the beach closure. The Andino family were determined to make the most out of the holiday and enjoy each other’s company.
The 2-mile stretch of beach in San Clemente was closed following the incident with the shark. A sighting of a shark 10 feet or longer typically leads to a closure of the beach for several hours. However, any aggressive behavior from the shark automatically results in a 24-hour shutdown. In this case, the aggressive behavior of the shark prompted the full 24-hour closure of the beach for the safety of the public.
The closure of the popular Southern California beach for Memorial Day did not deter some beachgoers from enjoying their holiday plans. Despite the presence of the shark and the beach closure, many visitors to the beach found other ways to enjoy the long weekend. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of sharing the beach with marine wildlife, particularly during the busy holiday weekend.
In conclusion, the closure of the San Clemente beach for Memorial Day weekend due to a shark sighting highlights the importance of safety when enjoying the ocean. The decision to close the beach was made after a surfer reported being bumped off his board by a shark exhibiting aggressive behavior. While the closure may have disrupted the plans of some beachgoers, many found alternative ways to enjoy the holiday weekend. This incident serves as a reminder of the need to be aware of potential risks when sharing the ocean with marine wildlife.
