Deadly summer swells are turning California beaches into rescue zones

Blistering heat and powerful hurricane swells have created a perfect storm of dangerous surf conditions across Los Angeles’ beaches, leading to a record number of lifeguard rescues.Last weekend, the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard division performed almost 2000 rescues between July 24 and 26, in what lifesavers have described as “nuts” and the “largest number (they) can remember”.On Saturday alone, LA County lifeguards performed 1049 rescues across the region’s 72 miles of beaches, while the weekend’s overall total was 1950 ocean rescues.They also assisted with 71,000 preventative actions across the three days.A preventative action is when lifeguards either go into the water but aren’t required or educate a swimmer about dangerous conditions in a bid to avoid trouble.Another 517 medical aids and 749 emergency vehicle responses were also conducted.Local Venice Beach lifeguard Damian, who has been on the job for four years, said last weekend’s waves were “unlike any (he’s) ever seen”.“We had insane waves, really big rip currents all day long,” he told The California Post.“On holidays, most of the time we get busy (with rescues), but it’s usually not as busy (as last weekend) where we saw that amount of swell.”The eventful weekend has brought the County’s tally of ocean rescues for the year to 8331. Los Angeles County Fire Department ocean rescue Captain Pono Barnes said the fallout of hurricanes Genevieve and Fausto were behind the huge swells generating dangerous conditions for swimmers across the County’s beaches. “All the swell is from the eastern pacific hurricanes.

It seems Genevieve’s energy has arrived on our shores,” he told The Post. “In summer, we have more south swell but the very large surf is from those two hurricanes.” California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking abov...