Newport lifeguards rescue 17-year-old

A 17-year-old boy nearly lost his life Tuesday evening after leaping

off his bodyboard and getting caught in a rip current, Newport Beach

lifeguards said.

About 7:10 p.m., lifeguards rescued the inexperienced swimmer as he

became exhausted fighting the strong current, said Newport Beach

Lifeguard Lt. Brent Jacobsen. The bodyboarder was about 150 yards off the

shore at 15th Street when he decided to leap off his board, Jacobsen

said.

“The unfortunate thing is [he] got off the [board],” he said, pointing

out that swimmers who have a board should hang on to it to remain afloat

while waiting for help. “He was totally inexperienced.”

After being pulled from the water, the swimmer was taken to Hoag

Hospital as a precaution, Jacobsen said.

Lifeguards rescued more than 30 of the 50,000 or so beachgoers on

Tuesday, he said. All of the victims had trouble with the rip currents

and were inexperienced, he said. He suggested that swimmers should swim

near a lifeguard, with a companion and during peak times when there are

plenty of lifeguards on duty.

Warming temperatures both in the air and water have begun attracting

more visitors to the beach, Jacobsen said. On Sunday, lifeguards rescued

12 people at the same time and 58 overall. Summer officially will begin

Friday.