A Santa Cruz rescue video shows lifeguards fighting violent waves to save a boy from dangerous surf.
A dramatic lifeguard rescue at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California, was captured on video as powerful waves battered the shoreline Saturday.
The video shows a lifeguard rushing into the water to reach a struggling boy as large swells and strong surf made the rescue difficult.
The boy was brought safely back to shore with help from a second lifeguard. Officials said the rescue was one of at least 25 reported across Santa Cruz County that day.
Witness Saw Lifeguard Rush Into the Surf
Witness Scott Vander Dussen said he watched the lifeguard run straight into the water without hesitation.
He told ABC7 that the boy appeared to be caught off guard when the waves changed quickly and overpowered him.
Video from the scene shows the lifeguard trying to hold onto the boy as waves slammed into them near shore.
ABC7 reported that beachgoers also tried to help, but some were knocked down by the waves. Read the full report here: ABC7 report on the Santa Cruz rescue.
Powerful Surf Made the Rescue Dangerous
Santa Cruz State Parks lifeguard supervisor Byran Kine said the surf was especially strong.
He said even knee to waist deep water can become dangerous when so much water is moving at once.
Kine also warned that well meaning bystanders can create more danger when they enter rough surf without training.
“We appreciate their eagerness to help, but often we find that that leads to more problems,” Kine told ABC7.
Second Lifeguard Helped Bring Boy Ashore
Vander Dussen said the first lifeguard held onto the boy with a strong grip as the water tried to pull him back out.
A second lifeguard then helped complete the rescue.
All involved made it safely to shore. The boy appeared to be okay after the incident, according to local reports.
CBS News Bay Area reported that the rescue happened as powerful surf and rip currents hit the coast. Read the CBS report here: CBS News Bay Area report on Seabright Beach rescue.
At Least 25 Rescues Reported That Day
The Seabright rescue came during a busy and dangerous day for Santa Cruz County lifeguards.
Large swells contributed to at least 25 rescues across the county, according to officials and witnesses cited by local media.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the boy was about 10 years old and was rescued during a two minute struggle in surf that included waves up to about 10 feet.
The same report said the National Weather Service extended a beach hazards warning because of sneaker waves and rip currents.
Officials Warn Beachgoers About Rip Currents
Rip currents can pull swimmers away from shore quickly. They often form near breaking waves, sandbars, piers and jetties.
The National Weather Service says swimmers caught in a rip current should stay calm, float, and not fight directly against the current. People should swim parallel to the shore until they are out of the current, then swim back at an angle.
More safety information is available from the National Weather Service rip current safety page.
A Rescue That Could Have Ended Differently
Vander Dussen said the outcome could have been much worse without the lifeguards.
He said the boy was in desperate need of help and that the lifeguards did what needed to be done.
The video has spread because it shows how quickly a beach day can turn dangerous. One moment, the water looked manageable. The next, a child was fighting waves stronger than he could handle.
The rescue ended safely, but officials say the lesson is serious. When surf is strong, even shallow water can become dangerous, and trained lifeguards can make the difference between panic and survival.