As high surf hit the South Coast on Wednesday, rescue personnel were kept busy with a jump in water rescue calls from Isla Vista to Gaviota.
Among those who needed assistance was a surfer stranded in a cove near the beach access steps at Camino Del Sur. The surfer had to be rescued by helicopter.
None of those involved in the four incidents before noon required medical attention.
The rescue calls coincided with a high tide that hit just over 5 feet around 10 a.m. That came amid a high surf advisory for the South Coast and Ventura County, which the National Weather Service says expires 8 p.m. today.
Breakers of 6 to 12 feet with maximum sets to 14 feet are possible at exposed west-facing beaches, such as Rincon Beach, through this evening.
Minor coastal flooding is possible because of this surf event, especially during times of high tide. (Today’s high tide, expected to be slightly lower than Wednesday’s, was expected around 11 a.m.)
Officials said normally dry beach areas would be inundated with water quickly. Beach walkways and parking lots could be flooded.
High surf brings an increased risk for ocean drowning, with rip currents able to pull swimmers and surfers out to sea.
Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore.
