Beachgoers ignore 4-day water ban in Santa Cruz

Lifeguards in Santa Cruz are warning beach goers about the consequences of breaking a four day water ban.

The ban comes after a shark attacked a kayaker at Steamer Lane Tuesday.

Santa Cruz beaches are open but the water is closed. Officials said the four day water activity ban is a standard practice for the city after a shark attacked veteran kayaker, Steve Lawson.

‘My kids surf out here so it’s definitely so it’s surprising when you hear about it. It definitely makes your think for sure,” said Santa Cruz surfer Osh Bartlett.

The water ban spans over a mile radius from the attack location and firefighters are urging people to stay out of the water for now.

“This was the first actual predatory attack on an occupied vessel in Santa Cruz in recorded history and we just want to make sure that we give a little bit of time to make sure there isn’t going to be a repeat,” said Britten Miles with the Santa Cruz Fire Department.

As of 12:00 p.m. Wednesday the Santa Cruz Police Department hadn’t issued any citations for people being in the water. Lifeguards have gone out into the ocean warning surfers about the recent shark attack.

“Sharks are really further from my mind… they are something I think about more outside of the water than in,” Santa Cruz surfer Kari Davis said.

“Most of the places we surf have kelp beds and the great whites tend to stick to the outside of the kelp beds,” said Santa Cruz surfer Craig Throop.

Gary Leopold told KION he was out in the water paddle boarding when Tuesday’s attack happened, but he said sharks are just a risk that you have to deal with.

“They are there every day…so it doesn’t really matter. You can’t think about it. I don’t worry about it. You can’t if you are going to be out there,” said Gary Leopold.

The water ban did come as some bad news for junior lifeguards who were eager to get in the water.

The camp wasn’t cancelled, but the kids did have to say on dry land.

“It was sort of fun and sort of boring. It was fun because we got to play games on the beach, but boring because a lot of games I didn’t like,” said Junior Lifguard Liz Wingert.

“When you are working with kids, you do the extra cautious thing,” said Wingert’s Grandmother Joan David.

“As long as you are keeping them engaged and energized and active, then hey are always having fun,” said Instructor William Mullen.

If you are caught out in the water, you can be given a $200 ticket.