Central Coast Kayaker has close encounter with hammerhead shark

If you thought shark week was over think again. A central coast kayaker figured that out the hard way after a scary encounter with a determined hammerhead shark. Researchers believe it was a juvenile hammer head shark that got a little too close for the kayakers comfort. Mark McCrackin is the kayak fisherman and he said he hit the hammerhead shark with his paddle at least 20 times before it finally gave some space. It all happened just north of Santa Barbara where they’ve had recent hammerhead encounters. Shark researchers at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories have been studying hammerheads and said there’s an explanation for this behavior.

“I saw the video and the hammerhead is pretty bold but it’s probably after this guy you can see he had some rods in the water. He’s probably just after the guy’s fish. They do attack humans on occasion but it’s always associated with fishing activity,” said shark researcher, Paul Clerkin.

McCrackin said hitting the shark didn’t phase it and it even followed him a half mile. With warmer water temperatures more sharks including hammerheads have been seen along our stretch of the Central Coast.

“The ones that we get off here get up to maybe 12 or 14 feet, so large but not monstrous,” said Clerkin.

If you do encounter a shark on a kayak, experts say your best bet is to tap the shark on the nose and get to shore fast. At Kayak Connection they said they haven’t had any interactions with sharks and it’s not something they warn customers about.

“Kayaking is an outdoor activity and there’s no way that any rental shop or tour business can guarantee 100 percent safety,” said Larry Wagner of Kayak Connection.

So should you be afraid of this happening to you? Researchers say no.

“So they’re not out there trying to eat humans they’re just trying to find a meal, fish,” said Clerkin.

Shark researchers at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories said if you do see a hammerhead shark they want to hear about it. You can email researchers at vvasquez@mlmlcalstate.edu.