x
Breaking News
More () »

Surfers brave another day of dangerous waves

The San Diego County coastline is in for another day of strong rip currents and larger than normal surf Thursday resulting from a Tropical Storm Marie-related swell, forecasters said.

OCEANSIDE (CBS 8) - North County lifeguards are warning beachgoers to stay out of the water and to enjoy the view from the shore.

Southern California is getting battered with the biggest swells in years. Waves reached 12 feet high at Oceanside Pier and 15 feet at the harbor Thursday.

"I always have a blast surfing whether it's two or eight feet and bumping like it is right now," surfer, Mason Veyveris, said.

Veyveris hit the waves near Oceanside Pier, which he said are some of the strongest he's seen in a while.

"It's just ripping to the north right now," Veyveris said.

For seasoned athletes like Veyveris and Barrett Hagerle, the six to eight foot waves are a blast. It's what they live for but the ocean's strength is powerful.

"It's a workout, a lot of current out there. The water is sucking down this way north," Hagerle said.

Monster waves were seen at Newport Beach with 20 to 25 foot high sets.

Pro surfers hit the infamous "wedge" but for the average swimmer or less experienced paddle boarder it was too strong.

There were hundreds of rescues up and down the coast from San Diego to north of Los Angeles where 250 people were pulled from the water. One surfer died earlier this week in Malibu.

Pacific Hurricane Marie pummeled coastal communities and created intense swells. The National Weather Service says it's the largest southerly swell since 1996.

"We're advising swimmers to stay out of the water," a lifeguard said."

"I think they're staggering. The waves are just unbelievable," a spectator said.

Experts say surf this large has the potential to cause flooding, damage buildings and cause beach erosion - not to mention become life-threatening.

Veyveris knows first-hand that it's no joke. His friend had a close call on the waves.

"Just in the beginning of the swell it snapped his surfboard."

Lifeguards say: "When in doubt, don't go out."


Before You Leave, Check This Out