Beware of high surf, sneaker waves on L.A., Ventura county beaches

High surf with sets of up to 15 feet in Los Angeles and Ventura counties will linger Tuesday, making swimming particularly dangerous at local beaches.

The highest surf will pound west- and southwest-facing beaches along the Southern California coastline, says the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

“Know how to swim, never swim alone, and if in doubt, do not go out,” the weather service said.

Waves could reach 14 feet with sets of up to 18 feet along the Central Coast. Surf could be as high as 10 feet in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with sets of up to 15 feet.

The Ventura Harbor Patrol reported waves 10 to 15 feet high on Monday.

The weather service advised swimmers and surfers to watch out for sneaker waves -- large, fast-moving rogue waves that appear near shore -- and dangerous surf with frequent and strong rip currents.

Strong surf is believed to have swept up an 18-year-old Nevada man Sunday near Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach.

Lifeguards and firefighters have been searching for Anthony Parnell since Sunday, but haven’t found him.

He was with three friends along a rocky cove when a swell struck and he was swept away.

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