Two OC Beaches Reopen After Shark Encounter

Large sections of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach were closed down to surfers and swimmers

The waters at two of Orange County's most popular beaches were closed Thursday after a shark was spotted and showed what authorities described as aggressive behavior to a surfer.

Large sections of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach were closed down to surfers, swimmers and other water-goers Thursday night. Lifeguards cleared the beaches Thursday evening to check on the shark report.

Newport Beach lifeguard Battalion Chief Mike Halphide told the Orange County Register that the 6-to-8 foot shark acted aggressively by bumping the surfboard of an off-duty lifeguard and lifting it about a foot out of the water in the area of Huntington State Beach.

A beach visitors told NBC4 the beach was packed at the time of the report.

Lifeguards in boats could not find the shark later Thursday night. Beaches reopened Friday morning.

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