Holiday weekend draws 300,000 beachgoers

Claudia Figueroa

NEWPORT BEACH--Crowds poured into the city over Memorial Day weekend to

kick off the upcoming summer invasion.

Nearly 300,000 people flocked to the beach as temperatures increased from

last week’s cool days to reach the mid 60s to upper 70s along the coast.

And, despite the weather being mostly overcast throughout the weekend,

beachgoers took advantage of the holiday spirit minus the sunshine.

However, the weekend did have its share of complications.

Newport Beach lifeguard Lt. Eric Bauer said nearly 400 rescues were

reported from Friday through Monday midday, including a high number of

neck injuries and near drowning accidents.

Most of the incidents are attributed to rip currents, Bauer said, adding

that Newport Beach experienced strong rip currents the whole weekend,

with its busiest area in West Newport.

Surprisingly, no injuries were reported at the Wedge in Newport Beach,

where body surfers have been known to seriously injure themselves on

waves breaking in shallow water. However, two swimmers received neck

injuries at Crystal Cove State Park on Sunday when they were body surfing

in shallow water.

A man and a boy, whose names were not available, were treated for spine

injuries after each was seen being pulled into 2- to 3-foot-high waves

and crashing onto the ocean floor shortly before 1 p.m., said Crystal

Cove Park Ranger Rich Robbins.

Both swimmers were in shallow water at the time of the accidents. Even

though the waves were small, the current was moving quickly and the

impact in shallow water was relatively strong, Robbins said.

Robbins said the injured parties were put on slant boards and taken by

ambulance to Hoag Hospital.

The ranger said the boy had a minor hairline fracture. The man’s

condition was unknown Monday afternoon.

Bauer said to avoid problems in the water, swimmers should stay near a

lifeguard, and if they get caught in a rip current to avoid panic.

He advised swimmers to stay parallel to the beach until they’re out of

the rip current and can safely swim to the beach.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of how to make it to the shore safely once

they’ve been caught in a rip [current],” Bauer said.

To add to the excitement, Orange County beaches are being infiltrated by

jellyfish and stingrays.

Bauer said about 30 people received medical treatment for wounds from the

two sea creatures at local beaches over the extended weekend.

Shuffling your feet in the water is likely to scare a sting ray away

before it can sting you, he suggested. However, because jellyfish are

transparent, they are more difficult to avoid once they get in the

surfline.

“They’ve been drifting with the currents throughout the county,” Bauer

added. “Most of the people are still enjoying the water unaffected, but

it’s always good to avoid [jellyfish and stingrays] if you happen to see

one. Because, even though their stings are not deadly, they can cause

excruciating pain.”

Additionally, 20 medical aides were called in to handle broken arms and

lacerations caused by in-line skating accidents. And about 80 first aid

requests were tallied for minor abrasions.

For safety tips on beach activities you may visit o7

https://www.usla.orgf7 or call (949) 644-3047.