Surfer Hospitalized After Yet Another Northern California Shark Attack

Yesterday, around 5pm at the entrance to Big River in the town of Mendocino, an unidentified 39-year old surfer was attacked by a shark. 

The man is currently in the hospital with injuries to both legs, after getting himself to the beach and being assisted by three off-duty lifeguards. His current condition has not been made public. 

Per Mendocino Coast News:

“A witness described the shark as “gigantic.” Several reported that the shark struck the victim, and then circled both him and other surfers. It appeared the shark returned more than once to bite its victim.

“According to early reports from emergency communications, the victim made it out of the water and was located at the extreme north end of the beach. Emergency personnel responding to the scene requested an ATV to reach the individual more quickly across the sand.

“Scanner traffic indicated the injuries, while serious, did not involve arterial bleeding.”

Onlookers who watched the chaos from the bluff have estimated the shark to be anywhere from 15-20 feet.

This attack comes on the heels of a recent attack just a handful of miles south in Gualala — and continues the trend of 2025; a year where California recorded the most shark attacks it has ever experienced in 12 months.

Of course, this trend is being mirrored even more tragically in Australia, where more than a handful of fatal attacks recently occurred within just days of each other. 

Update: The surfer in question has been identified as James Eastman, and you can click here to support his GoFundMe.