An unidentified man at least 50 years old, who was paddling off on a surfboard in the California coast, has lived to tell of an attack by a young great white shark.

California park ranger Robert Colligan said the man managed to return to shore after he was mildly hurt in his encounter with the ocean predator.

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The victim, who was from the San Luis Obispo area, said the shark bit into his right hip.

A medic who happened to be on the scene, while staying at the beach on his day off, worked on the injury of the shark attack victim until more help arrived. Authorities flew the man to a local hospital for more treatment.

The man was attacked on Sunday near Sand Spit Beach at 11:30 in the morning local time. The beach, located west of San Luis Obispo, lies in Montana De Oro State Park.

A park ranger said the man, who was paddling near the shore with a friend, was one of several people in the water.

Eyewitnesses said the shark crept up behind and from underneath the man and attacked him, adding that the shark was described as being 8 to 10 feet long.

Rangers kept the beach open, but signs were posted for 72 hours warning the public of a shark attack.

The area is a natural habitat of sharks and they are usually seen several times a year.

Park rangers said that attacks like this are not that common. In 2003, a shark killed a woman swimming with seals about several kilometers south of the area where yesterday's attack happened. 

TagsGreat white shark