California beach reopened after 'aggressive' hammerhead shark spotted

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Swimmers and kayakers are being warned to keep a close eye on the water after an eight- to 10-foot hammerhead shark was spotted lurking near a stretch of beach in La Jolla.

The shark reportedly circled and followed a group in the water, prompting lifeguards to close the beach Saturday between La Jolla Cove and Scripps Pier. The beach was reopened about 7 a.m. Sunday but remains under "shark advisory," local officials said. No one was injured.

San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesman Lee Swanson said the shark was showing "aggressive behavior" toward a group of four swimmers, who scrambled aboard nearby kayaks. The shark then followed the kayakers toward the shore, to the surfline.

Jimmy Van Evera, 36, shot cellphone video of the shark that circle him and his dad as they were in their kayaks.

"We each caught a yellowfin, and we always bleed them out to keep them fresher," Van Evera said. "We were paddling back in, and we saw this hammerhead pop up near our kayaks."