Lifeguards busy with hundreds of rescues as big surf hits the Southern California coast

california

Its a recipe for trouble: warm weather driving people to the coast, water that feels like a lukewarm bath, mixed with a strong swell bringing big waves and rip currents that can suddenly suck you out to sea.

Add in that most lifeguard departments havent yet started summer staffing – and it was a busy, challenging and dangerous weekend along the coast.

  • A surfer rides a wave north of the pier in Huntington Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfer rides a wave north of the pier in Huntington Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  • A surfer rides a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfer carries his broken board at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfer bails out of a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Two surfers catch a wave north of the pier in Huntington Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Photographers get their shots of surfers at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A body boarder rides a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfer rides a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A body boarder rides a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Surfers line up for a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfer rides a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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A high surf advisory is in effect through Tuesday due to dangerous swimming conditions at Southern California beaches, according to the National Weather Service. The swell arrived Saturday and grew Sunday as droves of people flocked to the beach.

In Los Angeles County, lifeguard stayed busy through the entire weekend, with an estimated 350 rescues from Friday through Sunday and 307 medical assists, according to Lidia Barillas, public information officer for the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division.

“In Santa Monica and Venice, there was larger surf and a lot of rescues. There were waders who were pulled out by a rip current, and a few surfers that I observed that were a little in over their heads. The lifeguards went out there and helped them back to shore,” Barillas said.

Sunny skies, dangerous conditions[hhmc]

After weeks of “May Gray” and “June Gloom,” warm and sunny weather sent an estimated 1 million people to Los Angeles beaches.

“Due to the hot weather, it was the perfect combination for high rescue count,” Barillas said. “If they do come to the beach, not all the towers are open. We advise people to swim near a open lifeguard tower, check for conditions and hazards and to please surf and swim within your ability.”

Dangerous conditions continue Monday, June 11, with 3-5-foot waves for Los Angeles County and even higher at south-facing standout spots like the Wedge in Newport Beach, where waves were expected to get into the 12-foot range.

In Huntington Beach, lifeguards were also busy, said Marine Safety Lt. Claude Panis. More than 140,000 beachgoers showed up Saturday and Sunday, he said.

“Definitely there were some elevated rescues. It was a challenge with staffing levels because were not in our full schedule, with summer-like conditions,” said Panis. “We dont have all our players down at the beach. They are going to come down if the tower is open or not.”

Lifeguards at Huntington City Beach rescued about 100 people on Saturday and Sunday, and gave preventive warnings to more than 3,000.

Busy Monday[hhmc]

Panis doesnt expect it to slow down anytime soon. Water temperatures went from 58 degrees to a recent uptick of nearly 10 degrees, with water in the upper 60s.

“It may be Monday, but theres warm weather,” he said. “Im expecting a busy day, even for a Monday. Were pretty much in our summer season now.”

He reminds people the ocean is “not a big swimming pool.”

“Check with a lifeguard before you go in the water,” he said. “If it looks like its above your ability, dont go out.”

Newport Beach lifeguard capt. Boyd Mickley said surf was in the 4-6 foot range, with occasional 8-foot sets. He said a mix of swells – one coming from the south mixed with a northwest wind swell – made rip currents unpredictable.

“It created inconsistent currents,” Mickley said.

Surf was still strong on Monday, he said.

“Were just waiting to see what the crowds are going to do,” he said.

Crowded beach[hhmc]

Shane Jones, founder of JoneSea Wetsuits, suited up to join about 100 others who were out in the water at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point.

“Ive been working 100 hours a week for I dont know how many weeks, and now we have swell,” Jones said. “My friend called me this morning, so were going to go surfing and enjoy the day a little bit. Its super sunny and theres waves.”

The crowds in the water didnt seem to bother him.

“Sharing is caring,” he said with a smile. “Its summertime.”

The surf is expected to be in the 4-7 foot range through Tuesday with occasional sets up to 9 foot, the NWS warns. If caught in a rip current, relax and float.

“Dont swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline to escape the current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call and wave for help,” the NWS warning reads.

According to Surfline.com, the tropical swell peaks Monday, but the long period south, southwest swell holds on Tuesday, producing waves upward of 7 feet. Waves drop only slightly on Wednesday — in the 4-6-foot range — and by Thursday, expect waves to be about 3-5 feet.

By next weekend, waves will be about 2-4 feet.

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Lifeguards busy with hundreds of rescues as big surf hits the Southern California coast

california

Its a recipe for trouble: warm weather driving people to the coast, water that feels like a lukewarm bath, mixed with a strong swell bringing big waves and rip currents that can suddenly suck you out to sea.

Add in that most lifeguard departments havent yet started summer staffing – and it was a busy, challenging and dangerous weekend along the coast.

  • A surfer rides a wave north of the pier in Huntington Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfer rides a wave north of the pier in Huntington Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • SoundThe gallery will resume inseconds
  • A surfer rides a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfer carries his broken board at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfer bails out of a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Two surfers catch a wave north of the pier in Huntington Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Photographers get their shots of surfers at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A body boarder rides a wave at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Monday, June 11, 2018. A high surf advisory is in affect through Tuesday at Southern California beaches. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) Continue reading “Lifeguards busy with hundreds of rescues as big surf hits the Southern California coast”

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