LA SELVA BEACH — Amid strong tides and a pounding surf, a young bodyboarder was safely pulled from the water at Manresa State Beach this weekend by a local surfer and lifeguard.
California State Parks spokesperson Gabe McKenna said a lifeguard on vehicle patrol spotted the struggling juvenile at approximately 11:34 a.m. Saturday and immediately self-initiated a rescue without spending any precious time to throw on a wetsuit.
Out in the water, a surfing bystander had also taken notice of the bodyboarder in distress and quickly paddled over to keep her afloat. The surfer, county native Jimmy Hope, estimated the waves were about 4-6 feet high on Saturday, but told the Sentinel that the winter rip current at Manresa can be extremely powerful and must be taken seriously, even by the most seasoned oceangoer.
“I was kind of in the right place at the right time for this young lady,” Hope said, adding that he was only able to get to the girl in time because the current was already pulling him hard in her direction. “The ocean is super scary.”
Another member of the public, Elizabeth Kracht, told the Sentinel that the bodyboarder — a teenage girl by Kracht’s estimation — was pulled past the line of large breaking waves where the surfer could reach her.
Kracht, who witnessed the rescue from shore, said the bodyboarder disappeared from view as set after set of waves barreled through.
“There were so many waves rolling in,” said Kracht. “They were powerful that day.”
Hope said that by the time he reached the girl, she was visibly exhausted after fighting hard against the channel of water that had sucked her out to sea.
“She wasn’t coming back by herself,” said Hope.
Together, the surfer and lifeguard were able to bring the juvenile back to shore where first responders conducted a medical assessment. The girl required no additional care and was eventually released, according to McKenna.
“The vigilance and training of the State Parks lifeguard, in conjunction with the bystander’s actions, was critical in getting the juvenile back to shore,” said McKenna.
Hope, who spent much of his youth around the ocean, recommended that parents enroll their children in one of the local Junior Lifeguard programs so they can learn how to stay safe in the water. Supervision is also key, he said, as rip currents can sweep you off your feet and into deep water in a matter of seconds.
Those caught in rip currents should try to remain calm and avoid fighting against the current. Instead, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes, it is better to swim parallel to the shore in order to escape the channel that is flowing out to sea.
“If you have kids around the ocean, make sure they do Junior Lifeguards,” said Hope.
Though the skies were clear and the weather was warm this weekend, strong currents and high swells are a common occurrence in Santa Cruz County during the winter months. The county’s coastline has been included in a beach hazards statement from the National Weather Service that was expected to last through 9 p.m. Monday.
According to the Surfline surf report, waves at Manresa were between 8-10 feet Monday. Wave heights were expected to drop slightly Tuesday and Wednesday before picking back up again Thursday and returning to 8-12 feet by Friday.
“With these series of large swells, it’s best to observe from afar,” said McKenna. “Stay high and dry away from the shoreline where there can be wave run-up.”
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