10-Foot Waves Pound Southern California as Heat Crowds Beaches and Rip Currents Surge

Dangerous Southern California surf, waves up to 10 feet and nearly 2,000 rescues have prompted widespread coastal advisories as heat draws crowds to beaches.

10-Foot Waves Pound Southern California as Heat Crowds Beaches and Rip Currents Surge

Southern California beaches are facing a dangerous combination of extreme heat, heavy crowds and powerful ocean swells. Waves reaching 10 feet have affected roughly 700 miles of coastline, prompting high surf advisories from San Diego to Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Lifeguards are reporting an unusually high number of rescues as visitors seek relief by the water.

Key takeaways

  • Waves as high as 10 feet are affecting hundreds of miles of coastline.
  • High surf advisories warn of strong rip currents, flooding waves and dangerous rocks.
  • Los Angeles County lifeguards made nearly 2,000 ocean rescues during one busy weekend.
  • Officials urge visitors to swim near staffed lifeguard towers and remain out of rough water.
  • Tropical swells are expected to keep conditions hazardous in parts of Southern California.

The combination of large waves and strong currents has created hazardous conditions for swimmers, surfers and people near exposed beaches, jetties and rocks. The National Weather Service warned that breaking waves can knock people off beaches and rocks, injure swimmers and capsize small boats close to shore.

Tropical swells intensify coastal hazards

Hurricane Genevieve has fueled large surf along the coast, with dangerous conditions reported in Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Earlier Southern Hemisphere and tropical swells have also contributed to elevated surf, and forecasters expect conditions to change quickly as additional swells move through the region.

A high surf advisory for parts of Los Angeles County, including the Malibu coast and nearby islands, called for breaking waves of 3 to 6 feet, with the highest surf facing south and southwest. Other exposed beaches have seen significantly larger sets, reaching as high as 10 feet.

Lifeguards handle a surge in rescues

Los Angeles County lifeguards performed just under 2,000 ocean rescues during a single weekend as millions of people visited beaches during a heat advisory. Officials said lifeguards were averaging multiple water rescues per shift in some areas.

Crowds have also gathered at Mission Beach and other coastal destinations as inland temperatures climbed. Lifeguards cautioned that even experienced swimmers can be caught off guard by rip currents and unexpectedly large waves.

How beachgoers can reduce the risk

Officials recommend checking conditions with a lifeguard before entering the water and swimming only near an occupied tower. Visitors should never turn their backs on the ocean, keep children close and stay off rock jetties during high surf.

Anyone caught in a rip current should remain calm and avoid swimming directly against the current. Instead, swimmers should move parallel to shore until they escape the current, then angle toward the beach. People who cannot escape should float, tread water and signal for help.

Would-be rescuers should not rush into the water without flotation equipment. Lifeguards advise using the principle “throw, don’t go”: throw a flotation device to someone in trouble and call 911 rather than attempting an unassisted rescue.

Relief may be limited

Hot weather is expected to keep drawing people to the coast even as ocean conditions remain dangerous. Some improvement may arrive next week, but officials continue to urge caution while high surf advisories and strong rip currents persist.

Sources