Coast : Breakers Up to 10 Feet Increase Water Rescues
The county coastline was hit with unusually high surf Thursday, so lifeguards were busy along the Southern California coast with an increased number of rescues.
The National Weather Service reported occasional breakers reaching 10 feet throughout the day and other waves commonly eight feet high.
Swells and surf were expected to peak during the night. Meteorologists are not sure whether the high surf will return today or why surf was so high Thursday.
“I’m betting on good surf for a couple of days,” said Newport Beach lifeguard Rob Maier, who said the high waves could be gone today or linger for another three days.
Maier said lifeguards in Newport Beach logged 110 rescues Thursday, about 80 more than on a more typical day with surf two to three feet high.
“There were big waves and a lot of rip” currents, he said.
Maier said all the rescues were successful, with no injuries reported.
The Coast Guard and officials at major harbors in the county said no damage was reported from the high surf.
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