17-Foot Breakers Forecast Along Santa Cruz County Coast

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Officials urged people to be careful along the coastline of Santa Cruz County as large swells are forecast Monday night into Tuesday.

The National Weather Service expected breaking waves of 13 to 17 feet, with a 8- to 10-foot swell lasting 14 to 15 seconds and rip currents into Tuesday night.

Rip currents and cold water can be fatal. Cold shock may strike within one minute; a person could become incapacitated in 10 minutes, and hypothermia can set in after an hour, according to the weather service.

People should always stay off of rocks or coastal jetties, watch kids and pets and never turn their backs to the ocean.

California's high waves, cold waters and sudden drop-offs are a few of the things that make some beaches a hazard to people along the shoreline, according to California State Parks. Limited lifeguards are available, and rip currents — which sweep people away from the shore — and unpredictable and unusually tall "sleeper waves" pose a threat to unsuspecting beachgoers.

"Not all beaches along the California coastline are recommended for swimming or wading," state parks said on its website. "The very things that make these areas such spectacular places to look at and enjoy can be lethal to those caught unaware along the shoreline."

Ocean safety concerns came on the heels of a string of recent, presumably fatal ocean incidents in Santa Cruz County and nearby waters.

See also: Drownings In Santa Cruz County: Cal Fire Makes Urgent Plea

8 Ocean Safety Tips

Here are some ocean safety tips, courtesy of California State Parks.

• Grab a lifeguard if possible, or call 911 if you see someone who needs help.
• Try to stay calm and keep eyes on the person in trouble. Be prepared to clearly articulate your location, and stay on the phone with the dispatcher if calling 911.
• Throw a floating object to a person caught in a rip current, and encourage them to swim horizontally along the shoreline, not toward it. Direct them to swim toward shore when they are out of the current.
• Leave rescues to professionally trained rescuers.
• Never swim alone or fight the current.
• Float or calmly tread water if you can't escape the current.
• Wave your arms and yell for help if you can't reach shore.
• If in doubt, don't go out. Be cautious, especially if no lifeguards are at the beach.

"Remember," state parks said. "Many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current."

NW swell will build Monday night into Tuesday generating breaking waves 13 to 17 feet along the coast. Never turn your back to the ocean and avoid standing on rocks or coastal jetties.#CAwx pic.twitter.com/dvFMSfPnbk
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) September 26, 2021