SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Sept. 16 (UPI) —
Officials closed a California beach to surfers and swimmers after a surfer was attacked by a shark Saturday.
Beau Browning, 42, said a shark struck his board while he was surfing at Manresa State Beach in Santa Cruz. The shark bit a chunk of the board, dragging Browning under the water by the board’s leash.
Browning said swimming to shore was terrifying as he feared he would "get smacked from the bottom" again.
"I’m stressed out. I’m sore from being pulled by a 2,500-pound animal in the water," Browning said Monday. "My back hurts and my leg hurts."
California State Parks banned swimmers and surfers from entering the water within a mile of the attack for five days. Supervising Ranger Joe Conners said that while people can be ticketed and fined for defying the ban, they would "be relying on the public to voluntarily comply."
On Sunday, another shark was spotted in the area attacking a seal or sea lion off Seabright State Beach, about 12 miles up the coast. Officials did not implement a ban there, but recommended people avoid the water.
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