A man was attacked by a shark while swimming off the coast of Del Mar, California on June 2, 2024. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. about 100 yards offshore from the Beach Safety Center at 17th Street. The victim, a 46-year-old man, suffered bites to his torso, left arm, and hand. He was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla with significant but not life-threatening injuries. The beach in Del Mar is closed and will remain closed until Tuesday.
The victim was part of a group of about a dozen swimmers who meet regularly to train in Del Mar. He was swimming with North County Ocean Swimmers, Inc., when the attack occurred. Witnesses say he showed an unbelievable amount of composure and remained calm throughout the incident, even asking for his wife to be called.
The city of Del Mar has temporarily closed beaches for swimming and surfing one mile in both directions from the incident, roughly from 6th Street to North Beach. The water closure will remain in effect until at least 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Shark attacks are rare, but this incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can occur while swimming in the ocean. Researchers from California State University Long Beach’s Shark Lab responded to take water samples and analyze the victim’s wet suit for possible DNA to determine the size and type of shark involved. Most likely, it was a juvenile white shark.
Although sharks are abundant in the area, shark bites are rare. Sharks are known to avoid people, but every once in a while, they make mistakes. It’s possible the shark involved in this incident was literally just passing through and hadn’t had a chance to encounter people beforehand.
