Monster Rip Current Sweeps Swimmers off La Jolla Shores

About 100 swimmers off were pulled from the surf and into deeper water by an unusually powerful rip current Thursday afternoon. Most were able to make it back to the beach on their own, but a team of lifeguards rescued 26 swimmers who were stranded and treading water, according to lifeguard Lt. Nick Lerma.

The large-scale beach emergency happened around 2:45 p.m. when three typical-sized outward-flowing currents merged into one, creating a hazardous and “pretty unusual dynamic,” according to Lerma. The combined current took hold of everyone in the water off a roughly 100-yard stretch of shoreline, Lerma said.

Those unable to swim free were aided by about a dozen lifeguards—several of whom had to come in from other city beaches—equipped with paddle boards, floatation buoys and personal watercraft towing rescue sleds.

Though no serious injuries or medical crises resulted from the mega-rip, “it was an intense situation for about 10 or 15 minutes,” Lerma said.

Lifeguards closed the affected section of shoreline until further notice
as a safety precaution.

City News Service contributed to this report.