Deadly summer swells are turning California beaches into rescue zones

Blistering heat and powerful hurricane swells have created a perfect storm of dangerous surf conditions across Los Angeles’ beaches, leading to a record number of lifeguard rescues.

Last weekend, the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard division performed almost 2000 rescues between July 24 and 26, in what lifesavers have described as “nuts” and the “largest number (they) can remember”.

On Saturday alone, LA County lifeguards performed 1049 rescues across the region’s 72 miles of beaches, while the weekend’s overall total was 1950 ocean rescues.

They also assisted with 71,000 preventative actions across the three days.

A preventative action is when lifeguards either go into the water but aren’t required or educate a swimmer about dangerous conditions in a bid to avoid trouble.

Another 517 medical aids and 749 emergency vehicle responses were also conducted.

Local Venice Beach lifeguard Damian, who has been on the job for four years, said last weekend’s waves were “unlike any (he’s) ever seen”.

“We had insane waves, really big rip currents all day long,” he told The California Post.

“On holidays, most of the time we get busy (with rescues), but it’s usually not as busy (as last weekend) where we saw that amount of swell.”

The eventful weekend has brought the County’s tally of ocean rescues for the year to 8331. 

Los Angeles County Fire Department ocean rescue Captain Pono Barnes said the fallout of hurricanes Genevieve and Fausto were behind the huge swells generating dangerous conditions for swimmers across the County’s beaches. 

“All the swell is from the eastern pacific hurricanes. It seems Genevieve’s energy has arrived on our shores,” he told The Post. 

“In summer, we have more south swell but the very large surf is from those two hurricanes.”

These conditions, coupled with extreme heat, has contributed to the unusual spike in rescues, Captain Barnes said.

“I don’t remember having a weekend like it…it’s incredible,” he said.

“The extreme in-land temperatures that have pushed everyone to the coast, the warm water, the hurricane surf – all these factors have played a part in the numbers.”

Los Angeles County Fire Department ocean lifeguard specialist Jake Miller added the number of rescues seen last weekend was “almost a historic number” for the region’s lifesavers.

Similar surf conditions are anticipated for beachgoers this weekend, with weather forecasts predicting breaking waves of eight to 12 feet along the California coast.

Meteorologist Chris Nunley said Hurricane Genevieve was sending a powerful long-period southerly swell into the California coast from Thursday, which would continue through to Saturday. 

“While the hurricane will remain far offshore, its swell will generate large breaking waves, dangerous rip currents, sneaker waves and periods of minor coastal flooding around evening high tides,” he said.

Sneaker waves can arrive after long periods of calm and suddenly rush much farther up the beach than expected, sweeping people and pets into the cold, turbulent ocean. 

“Strong rip currents will also make entering the water extremely dangerous. If you’re heading to the coast over the next few days, use extreme caution.”

Despite the meteorologist’s warning, Captain Barnes encouraged beachgoers to head to the coast, noting lifeguards would be present to encourage safe swimming practices.

“Get down to the beach, but do so safely,” he said.

“Check in with the lifeguards to see what’s going on, they will know how the surf conditions are changing as they will be watching it all day, and they can point out hazardous spots.”

The warning comes as footage shared on social media captures some of the wild rescues performed by lifeguards over last weekend.

In some cases, lifeguards would use their own strength to pull swimmers out of danger by towing them with a flotation device that was strapped around their neck or body. 

There was also the incredible rescue of a 10-year-old boy saved from the punishing surf at Santa Cruz beach by a 16-year-old lifeguard, with the footage going viral and even catching the attention of the White House.

Nathaniel could have died if it wasn’t for the efforts of Ryder Williams who put his own life on the line to rescue the young boy who was struggling to swim in towering waves and a dangerous rip.

Sadly, two college friends from Fremont weren’t as lucky – the pair tragically killed when a freak wave took them out to sea in early June.

Harshita Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, died when a “sneaker wave” dragged them from a Bonny Doon keyhole on Panther Beach in Santa Cruz County and swept them into the ocean.

A sneaker wave is a powerful, unexpected rush of water that surges further up the beach than expected.

The pair were sunbathing when the tragedy unfolded.

A week later, a mother and daughter were seriously injured when another powerful “sneaker wave” sucked the pair out to sea at Baker Beach in San Francisco, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge.

They were rescued by other beachgoers who pulled them to shore, before they were treated by firefighters and taken to hospital.

Mr Miller said there was one simple task beachgoers could do to ensure they’re not caught off guard by dangerous conditions when swimming at LA’s beaches this weekend.

“We want everybody to go have a safe day where they’re having a fun time at the beach,” he said.

“Just by checking in and having a conversation with that person at the lifeguard tower is all we really want for swimmers just to do so that they can enjoy their day.”

---

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters