Lifeguards warn of hazardous surf at California beaches, announce free life jacket stations
By Felix Cortez
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CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, California (KSBW) — State lifeguards in Carmel are urging beachgoers to exercise caution as hazardous surf conditions, including sneaker waves and strong rip currents, are expected in the coming days.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings about dangerous coastal conditions, and lifeguards stress the importance of understanding the risks.
“People not understanding the conditions and understanding this is a wild place that plays by its own rules, you have to know what’s going on and just be aware of your surroundings,” said Joe Stoffers, a state lifeguard.
Lifeguards are advising visitors to stay off rocks, keep a close eye on children, and never turn their backs to the ocean. They recommend visiting beaches with lifeguard stations, where lifeguards can provide safety information.
“Go talk to our lifeguards, and they will. They know our beaches really well, and they will give you really good information on where to keep you and your family safe on the beach,” Stoffers said. “Our lifeguards are here. They’re happy to talk to you.”
Tourists unfamiliar with local water conditions are particularly at risk.
“Normally I look at flags. Sometimes you have some, you know, yellow flags or red flags on some beaches. So I tend to be careful. Also, what’s in the water like all the, you know, the sharks and all that kind of stuff. I’m not too used to that. But normally I look at the size of the waves and I’m careful,” one tourist from Canada, Francois Dufresne, said.
State lifeguards also revealed plans for free life jacket stations at local beaches, including Carmel River Beach and Asilomar, to enhance safety for beachgoers.
“So you’ll be able to stop here, stop at Carmel River Beach. We should have one at Asilomar where if you’re playing on the beach for the day, you can grab a life jacket, put one on your kids, put one on yourself, and be safe while you’re at the beach,” Stoffers said.
Lifeguards emphasize the importance of staying out of the water if conditions are unclear, obeying warnings, and consulting lifeguards for guidance.
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