CADEN HAYNOR / NEWS EDITOR

The National Weather Service and other weather associations released beach hazards statements for the week of Dec. 1. These statements warned beachgoers about high tides and hazardous swimming conditions, advising  people  to  stay  out of the water  the  morning  of  Dec.  5.

USD sophomore Reece Elder, who regularly swims at the beach, shared an experience he had in San Diego when there were strong currents last year.

“It was at Ocean Beach, me and [my brother] were swimming because it  was a  huge swell day and we were trying to   body surf,” Elder said. “A huge set came through and hit us and all of a sudden we couldn’t touch the bottom. [My brother] was yelling ‘Help! Help! Help!’ and a surfer came over and put him on his board. Then  another  surfer caught a wave and he put me on  his board to help me out. The ambulance was going across the whole beach helping people. I definitely  watch  out  when  warnings come out about these things now.”

The   beach   hazard   warning    was extended to include the  entire  San Diego coast up to Orange County,  warning beachgoers  of four to seven foot waves, rip currents and sneaker waves  —  large  unexpected waves that surge up beaches. 

USD junior Edie Rudisile, a regular  San  Diego surfer,   reacted to  these  beach  hazard  statements.

“Four to six foot waves are sick,” Rudisile said. “Those are the perfect size because they aren’t too big, but just enough that you can actually ride them without them dying on you. I’m not worried about rip currents because I’m on a board. Like the worst case is I can just float out and then paddle to a better spot.  Sneaker  waves  are  evil though. I have a  longer  board,  so I try to avoid the rips if I can, where waves are hitting at all angles.”

Rudisile explained the precautions she takes before going out on dangerous days.

“I do get nervous going out, but that’s why I never go alone and I check the conditions beforehand,” Rudisile explained. “Always go where there’s lifeguards and a buddy.”

These beach advisories instruct people to stay out of the water during that time period and especially during high tides. On the morning of Dec. 5,  La Jolla beaches experienced a high tide  of over seven feet, higher than the average five feet. The   currents  caused  minor flooding on low  level beaches.

Rip currents and sneaker waves across San Diego pose a danger to swimmers. Photo courtesy of @huntington_beach_lifeguards/Instagram