When was the last time a shark was seen near LA?

Search: shark sightings

Why: Thinking about card sharps, pool sharks, and going to the beach this weekend.

Answer: There is probably one there right now:

• April 4 - Buccaneer Beach (near San Diego), 7:30 AM - "When I first paddled out I observed a longboarder about 20 feet away. He was paddling into a wave and I saw what looked like a grayish colored shark, 6 feet in length, swimming rapidly South in the same wave. It passed underneath him by only about 2 feet. ”
• March 28 - Zuma Beach (Malibu), 7:30 AM - "I was sitting on my board waiting for a wave, about 30 yards from shore. While scanning the horizon, I noticed a 2 foot high fin off to my left approximately 100 feet away. The shark's movement was straight toward me and when I realized what was happening I paddled toward shore as fast as I could and didn't look back. A guy came up to me and asked if I was OK. He said after I started paddling towards shore, the shark swam away from me after a few seconds and turned North and swam parallel with the shore..”
• March 20 - Temescal Canyon (Pacific Palisades), 9 AM - “I looked out and something large shot across the water for about 30 feet from shore. I could see that the fisherman had something big on his line and I asked what he thought he had. He said casually, "shark". I knew right then it was one of the whites I’ve seen lately. After 20 minutes the fisherman brought the shark to the shore break. I informed him that if it was a White Shark he would have to release it. He gaffed it in its side (which I wished he wouldn't have done) and hauled it onto the beach. A lifeguard came down and we agreed that it was unmistakably a juvenile White Shark, 5 – 6 feet in length.”
• March 18 - Salt Creek (Orange County), 5:30 PM - "I was a good 20 – 25 yards from shore. My friend paddled out and was 30 yards to my right. I thought I’d swim over to him. I was really struggling to stay up. When I was about 6 feet from my board my friend tells me ‘there is a huge fin right behind you!’ I turn around and saw a fin sticking 2 feet out of the water and its tail was about 9 feet behind. It was really dark on top and you could see glimpses of white so I’m sure it was a Great White."

Source: Pacific Coast Shark News

The More You Know: Beach plans canceled.