Countywide : Lifeguards Rescue at Least 300 People

As huge waves generated by two hurricanes off Baja California continue to pound Orange County beaches, lifeguards remained on alert Wednesday to rescue swimmers from the surf.

Swells averaging six to eight feet are expected to continue through the week, as the effects of Hurricane Hernan subside and Hurricane Iselle moves in, according to weather forecasters and local lifeguards.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if this continues to bring us big surf for the next three days,” said Jeff Harman, San Clemente marine safety supervisor. “These storms are pretty close together and I don’t think things are going to subside.”

On Tuesday, when county beaches were hit hardest, lifeguards rescued 633 people from dangerous rip currents and powerful waves along 12 beaches between the north Orange County line and San Onofre State Beach, just south of San Clemente. At Newport Beach alone, 258 rescues were reported.

Wednesday, the rescue count decreased, reaching about 300 by mid-afternoon. But George Spangler, a Newport Beach Marine Department supervisor, said that number would probably rise by early evening.

The heavy surf has taken one life. The body of 18-year-old Jerrold Adams was pulled from the water near Seal Beach Pier on Monday night after an extensive search. Adams apparently drowned in the rough surf while body boarding, officials said.

Lifeguards said more beach-goers were staying out of the water because of media reports and dangerous swimming conditions created by waves breaking close to shore.

“The riptides are big time here,” said Duncan McCulloch at Huntington State Beach, which had six-foot swells Wednesday.