After watching the discovery channel, I subscribe to the theory that the beaches of So. Cal.down to Baja are juvenile rearing areas. I just bought a quality scuba knife w/leg straps (for just in case I run into the parents) I'm "straddling" my yak or if I accidentally go over I have a defensive weapon (endangered species be damned!). I just hope he bites the "right" leg where it's strapped.
I'm sure most of you guys remember the incident @ Catalina a few years ago where a woman was just paddling off the family yacht and was attacked by a GW.
All she was doing was paddling, she didn't even see it coming (the shark hit her yak so hard, it knocked her right out of it!). Thank goodness some fishermen saw her predicament and rushed over & got her out of the water before anything happened!!!
If the first one doesn't work my tactical combat knife will be next (probably a better choice).