The entire Northern California coastline is under beach hazard warnings. The National Weather Service warns that, for the next few days, the danger will be higher than normal.
San Francisco’s Baker Beach is notorious for having exceptionally strong sneaker waves. The danger of those waves will be higher than normal, according to the NWS.
Santa Cruz State Parks lifeguards said teams have been busy with water rescues for more than a week. Two Bay Area college students in their 20s were napping on a beach near Santa Cruz on June 10 when they were swept out to sea by a sneaker wave and drowned.
On Thursday, a mother and a child were pulled from the water, after they were hit by a sneaker wave at Baker Beach. At last report, they were hospitalized in critical condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
Experienced Bay Area crabber Volark Keo is a moderator for the Pacifica Pier Fishing and Crabbing group.
He is charge of warning crabbers about the surf dangers in social media advisories.
“Basically, respect the wave. For me, I pray before during and after, and always keep my head on a swivel, no matter what. And if you have a bad feeling, get out. Crab another day. Live another day,” he said.
The National Weather Service advises beach goers to stay far from the water’s edge, and off jetties, rocks and piers, and as always never turn their backs on the ocean.
The NWS says the Surf Hazard Advisories will remain in effect until at least Wednesday evening.