With a healthy south-southwest swell percolating in the water ahead of the fourth of July weekend, coupled with the masses of beachgoers heading to the water to celebrate the holiday, lifeguards were on high alert. Particularly, in Newport Beach.
And for good reason. The mixture of revelry, hordes of bodies, warm water, robust swell and, ahem, all the booze being consumed, can often lead to disaster.
Apparently, there were over 350 rescues on fourth of July in Orange County, Specifically, in Newport Beach, a handful of swimmers got themselves stuck in what’s being called a “dog-leg” rip current. Helicopters flew overhead, boats were deployed…chaos.
On social media, showing the monstrous rip current, the Newps lifeguards wrote:
“@newportbeachlifeguards perform a multi-victim rescue on 4th of July with multiple guards in the water, the Sea Watch rescue vessel, and approximately 12 victims scattered along a “dog-leg” rip current along one of the jetties in Newport Beach, CA. The rip current is a great example of how quickly these situations can pull victims out and shows the appropriate scale of how powerful the current can be.”
On X (formerly Twitter), they added: “10 swimmers rescued from monster rip current on the 4th of July in Newport Beach, CA. Captured by a Huntington Beach Police helicopter. Today, over 350 rescues were made in Newport Beach alone.”
Related: Freak Rip Currents Trap Pro Surfers in Hawaii (Video)
Luckily, it sounds like all those involved were safely returned to shore. Good onya lifeguards.
Rip currents can be no joke, especially for the amateur swimmer. According to a statement issued by the National Weather Service regarding the current conditions in Southern California:
“There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore.”
Just another reminder: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Related: 60-Foot Rogue Wave Captured in Pacific Ocean (Video)