VENTURA : Rip Currents Pose Risk to Beach-Goers

Rip currents in Ventura waters have resulted in 10 near drownings in the last six days, a head lifeguard at the San Buenaventura State Beach said Saturday.

Eight people in two separate incidents Saturday afternoon were swept into the ocean by rip currents along the unguarded beach south of the Ventura Harbor near Surfers Knoll, said Kirk Sturm a lifeguard supervisor with the State Beach.

“That beach is known to have rip currents all the time,” he said. “People have to realize that on these beaches with no lifeguards they shouldn’t enter the water. It can be dangerous any time.”

Seven people were swept into the ocean about 3 p.m. Saturday, Sturm said. Five lifeguards, one park ranger and one member of the Ventura Harbor Patrol had to swim out to pull the beach-goers from the water, he said. No one was seriously hurt in the incident, he said.

Sturm said lifeguards Keith Mullaney, 24, and Rachel Thompson, 21, sprinted half a mile from Marina Cove Beach and were the first rescuers in the water.

“I think they deserve some kind of medal,” he said.

More than 5,000 people crowded area beaches Saturday, with close to half of those on the unguarded beaches north of the Ventura Pier and south of the Ventura Harbor, Sturm said. More are expected today.