Heats at the Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro were abruptly put on ice Friday after lifeguards shut down ocean access near the Huntington Beach Pier following a shark sighting. Authorities estimated the animal at about 10 feet long and said it was behaving aggressively, triggering a precautionary 24-hour pause in competition. Organizers and city marine safety crews said the water would reopen only after ongoing surveillance confirms the area is clear.
World Surf League Puts Contest On Ice
The World Surf League said the multi-day Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro was placed on hold "for 24 hours following a shark sighting in the competition zone," organizers wrote on Instagram, according to MyNewsLA. The league added that competition will resume once the water safety team and local authorities confirm the contest area is clear, and the event was tentatively set to restart at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Lifeguards Clear Water Near The Pier
The Huntington Beach Fire Department’s Marine Safety Division said the sighting occurred Thursday evening and led to a closure of ocean waters from Beach Boulevard to 17th Street until at least 4:30 p.m., according to CBS Los Angeles. The department estimated the shark at about 10 feet long, described its behavior as aggressive and asked beachgoers to follow posted signs while surveillance continued.
Festival On Hold While Surf Heats Wait
The Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro is a World Surf League Qualifying Series stop running April 22–26 that brings rising pros to the south side of the pier, along with a beachfront vendor festival, according to Surf City USA. With competition paused, organizers said safety will determine whether heats can resume on Saturday, and vendors and attendees were advised to follow event and city instructions, according to MyNewsLA.
Why Lifeguards Lock Down The Lineup
Closing the water for at least 24 hours after a confirmed sighting is a standard safety step along the Orange County coast, where officials have taken a cautious approach after similar incidents, according to the Los Angeles Times. Researchers have pointed to cleaner coastal waters and shifting ocean conditions as reasons sightings have become more visible in recent years, and officials say that increased visibility supports a precautionary response for large public events.
What Officials Say Comes Next
Organizers and Huntington Beach lifeguards said they would continue aerial and boat surveillance through Friday evening and will only clear the competition zone when marine safety teams confirm there is no further activity. Officials urged anyone with footage or new sightings to report them to lifeguards and to obey posted signage along the shore, according to CBS Los Angeles.
