{"id":619,"date":"2026-06-12T04:04:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T04:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanfranciscomovingguide.com\/?p=619"},"modified":"2026-06-12T04:04:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T04:04:37","slug":"lifeguards-perform-270-rescues-amid-dangerous-surf-conditions-in-calif","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanfranciscomovingguide.com\/?p=619","title":{"rendered":"Lifeguards perform 270 rescues amid dangerous surf conditions in Calif."},"content":{"rendered":"
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While some surfers have been chasing the high of catching a historic wave, California weather forecasters and lifeguards have a clear message for beachgoers: Stay out of the water.<\/p>

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\u201cIn these large currents, we kind of want people to stay out of them if possible,\u201d San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesperson Candace Hadley told SFGATE.<\/p><\/div>

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From Ventura County\u2019s beaches all the way down to San Diego, the National Weather Service\u00a0warns of life-threatening rip currents and a surf zone that\u2019s dangerous for even the most skilled swimmer. Waves across the coast are reaching heights of 10 feet. The Wedge, a popular surfing spot at the eastern tip of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, has seen waves as high as 20 feet, the highest the waves have been in years. Despite warnings, the waves have brought out surfers hoping to catch a big one.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

\u201cThe waves are pretty spectacular the past few days,\u201d North Tustin resident Reese Boyd told the LA Times. \u201cYou can see all the people on the beach. Everyone\u2019s just as excited to see the waves this big.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

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The National Weather Service is warning the public about dangerous currents through Friday afternoon, with the largest occurring on Thursday. There\u2019s also a warning at Northern California beaches across Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo\u00a0and Santa Cruz counties until 9 p.m. Thursday.<\/p><\/div>

Lifeguards in San Diego report they\u2019ve rescued 270 beachgoers at their shores since Sunday.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

\u201cWhen you\u2019re looking at the water, someone who is a regular beachgoer, they kind of recognize what a rip current looks like,\u201d Hadley said. \u201cSometimes, at first glance, looking at it doesn\u2019t look so bad. Then they get in and get caught in that rip current. There\u2019s also areas where the sand moves around, so they could be walking, and there could be a dip in the sand. They could lose their footing.\u201d<\/p>

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Lauren Villafane, a forecaster for the National Weather Service, said these swells are common this time of year because of the winter storm systems moving in the South Pacific.<\/p><\/div>

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