Nearly 2,000 ocean rescues occurred over a single weekend this summer along the Southern California coast, prompting health and water safety experts to warn beachgoers about dangerous surf conditions driven by El Niño swells.

According to the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Division, the high number of rescues coincided with extreme heat that drew large crowds to the beaches. Officials shared the rescue totals on Instagram, urging visitors to remain vigilant and consult with on-duty lifeguards before entering the water.

"With a heat advisory continuing across the Southland and a Southern Hemisphere swell expected to keep surf elevated throughout the week, we encourage everyone to take proper precaution, and talk to a lifeguard about conditions before entering the water," the officials said.

Water safety experts emphasized the risks posed by strong rip currents affecting parts of the Southern California coast. They advised, "if you see someone struggling, don’t swim out after them without something that floats," and cautioned, "Throw it, don’t go — a lot of rip current deaths are bystanders who tried to help and got caught themselves."

In a related incident, a 10-year-old boy was pulled into the ocean by powerful surf while standing in ankle-deep water at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz on July 25. Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old California State Parks lifeguard, radioed for help and rushed into the water to rescue the boy. The lifeguard's actions were widely praised, including by former President Donald J. Trump, who invited Williams and his family to the White House for recognition.

These events highlight the ongoing dangers posed by elevated surf conditions, which experts say can persist on and off for weeks due to the combination of heat and Southern Hemisphere swells.

Sources