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Dangerous Surf & Rip Currents at LA Beaches
Nearly 2,000 ocean rescues Los Angeles County beaches are dealing with dangerous surf and strong rip currents, and the conditions contributed to an extraordinary number of lifeguard rescues over the weekend.
Los Angeles County lifeguards reported 1,950 ocean rescues over the weekend as large crowds headed to the coast to escape the Southern California heat. Lifeguards also recorded 71,274 preventative actions—interventions intended to keep swimmers from getting into trouble—and provided medical aid to 517 people.
The combination of packed beaches and a long-period Southern Hemisphere swell created especially hazardous conditions. The National Weather Service says long-period southerly swells are producing strong rip currents, longshore currents and powerful breaking waves along south-facing beaches.
How dangerous are conditions?
Surf along Los Angeles County beaches has generally been running around 3 to 6 feet, with some sets reaching approximately 7 feet, while the rip-current risk has been high. Earlier forecasts showed south-facing beaches receiving some of the largest surf.
The danger isn’t theoretical. Near the Venice Pier, two swimmers were swept away from shore by powerful rip currents Saturday. Los Angeles County Fire Department lifeguards entered the heavy surf and brought both swimmers back safely.
Another swell is coming
Conditions could remain hazardous rather than immediately settling down. As of Tuesday, July 28, the National Weather Service says multiple rounds of southerly swell are affecting south-facing beaches. Another swell associated with Hurricane Genevieve is expected to bring high surf to the Los Angeles and Ventura County coasts from Wednesday evening through Saturday.
For beachgoers, NWS recommends staying out of the water when conditions are dangerous and speaking with a lifeguard before entering. Anyone who does swim should stay near staffed lifeguard areas. If caught in a rip current, don’t fight it by swimming directly toward shore; swim parallel to the shoreline to escape the current, then angle back toward the beach.
This is particularly important because rip currents can exist even when the water doesn’t appear exceptionally rough. LA County lifeguards describe them as channels of water flowing away from shore and designate swimming areas with orange flags in locations selected to avoid known rip currents and other hazards.
Alert: LA County Beach Hazard Update — Conditions are escalating
The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard office now has a High Surf Advisory and Coastal Flood Advisory scheduled for Los Angeles County beaches beginning Wednesday, July 29 at 5 p.m. This is a meaningful escalation beyond the current Beach Hazards Statement.
Today, Tuesday, July 28, the rip-current risk remains HIGH, meaning life-threatening rip currents are likely. Surf is currently forecast around 3–5 feet. The Beach Hazards Statement continues through 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Beginning Wednesday evening, the incoming southerly swell associated with Hurricane Genevieve is expected to produce high surf and dangerous rip currents through Saturday. The High Surf Advisory runs Wednesday 5 p.m.–Saturday 5 p.m., while the Coastal Flood Advisory runs Wednesday 5 p.m.–Saturday 3 a.m.
