Point Reyes beaches opened, no further sign of shark following surfer bite

Point Reyes National Seashore officials reopened Tuesday a stretch of water closed Saturday when a shark bit a surfer’s foot.

The attack happened early Saturday afternoon as the woman sat on her board, her feet dangling in the water in the mouth of Drakes Estero.

“Apparently a shark came up and bit the individual, caused some damage to the toes,” John Dell’Osso, national seashore spokesman, said Wednesday.

The surfer had been surfing in the area with others between Drakes and Limantour beaches, Dell’Osso said. Initial information indicated the surfer was a man.

She was alone when she was attacked as her had returned to Drakes Beach. After the bite, she left the water, limped along the beach and called for help, Dell’Osso said.

The unidentified woman declined an ambulance ride to a hospital, Dell’Osso said.

She told rangers the shark appeared to be about 12 feet long. It might have been a white shark, which at times are seen along the North Coast. With northern elephant seal pup season underway they are expected since they hunt elephant seals, Dell’Osso said. He said several pups were born last weekend in park coves. The southern migration for gray whales also is underway.

“We put the message out on Tuesday that the water was open again but people should of course understand the inherent risks, not only undertows and sneaker waves but we’ve got big fish too,” Dell’Osso said.

-Randi Rossmann