Surfer vanishes under 12ft swells off California beach notorious for sneaker waves

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A surfer has vanished in the treacherous waters off a Northern California beach as monster 12-foot waves and deadly rip currents battered the coastline.

The man, who has not been named, was last seen Saturday afternoon in the churning waters off South Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore, a notoriously dangerous stretch of coastline known for its powerful surf and unpredictable sneaker waves.

The US Coast Guard received frantic calls for help around 3:34 p.m. Saturday after reports that someone had been swept into the ocean, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Rescue crews scrambled to the scene, launching a search by boat and helicopter with assistance from the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.

But despite the massive effort, the missing surfer was nowhere to be found.

The Coast Guard ultimately suspended its search, leaving National Park Service personnel to continue combing the shoreline for signs of the missing man.

Park officials planned to conduct beach patrols through Tuesday in hopes of locating him.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Sunday that the missing man was a surfer who had last been spotted in the waters off Point Reyes. Authorities have not publicly released his identity.

The sheriff’s office told The Post the National Park Service was leading the search and would be responsible for providing any updates.

The National Park Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The terrifying disappearance unfolded as forecasters sounded the alarm over potentially deadly ocean conditions along hundreds of miles of California’s coastline.

The National Weather Service issued a Beach Hazards Statement that remained in effect from 3 a.m. Saturday until 9 p.m. Sunday, warning beachgoers of dangerous sneaker waves, powerful rip currents and breaking waves reaching a staggering 7 to 12 feet.

The alert stretched from the San Francisco coastline through Point Reyes and south to Monterey Bay and Big Sur.

Sneaker waves are particularly sinister because they can suddenly surge much farther up the beach than surrounding waves, catching unsuspecting visitors off guard and dragging them into the ocean before they have time to react.

The powerful walls of water can sweep people from beaches, rocks and jetties, turning an otherwise peaceful trip to the shore into a fight for survival.

Point Reyes’ rugged coastline is especially unforgiving, with powerful surf and unpredictable ocean conditions posing serious risks even to experienced swimmers and surfers.

The disappearance sparked alarm and frustration among social media users familiar with the area’s dangerous waters.

“We did 2 hikes to a couple beaches almost 2 weeks ago in general area. Unbelievable the WAVES!! When will people learn?!” one person wrote.

Another commenter warned that the coastline’s constantly shifting underwater terrain makes the area particularly hazardous.

“Due to the constant changing shape of the sandbars from very strong waves and tide currents. Not the place to dip your toes in the water. Ever,” the person wrote.

Authorities have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding the surfer’s disappearance or whether he was caught in a rip current or sneaker wave.

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