MALIBU  (AP) — Authorities said a kayaker was bitten by a shark in the waters west of Malibu and was taken to the hospital with cuts to the top of his foot.

Ventura County Fire Capt. Ron Oatman says the kayaker, who was fishing with a friend Saturday afternoon, reported that he was dangling his feet in the water when a shark came up, bumped against or bit his foot before swimming away.

The wounded kayaker flagged down a fishing boat that was nearby and got onboard, where he was able to control the bleeding.

Oatman said lifeguards paddled to the boat and accompanied the kayaker back to shore.

The shark encounter occurred about a mile off the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Deer Creek Road.