I copied the last photograph, number 3, and blew it up for a close up view of the woman and the group of people she was running towards, with the waves and sailboats in the background.
On zooming in to that group, one can have a much better idea how it looked from the perspective of the woman in the photo.
Then you can understand.
I did the same thing. Zooming in on that scene is gut-wrenching. The father is looking at his kids, most likely urging them to run like hell. The spray at their feet indicates they are sprinting as well as one can in surf.
He and the two nearest him are moving toward right of picture, toward the wife and mother, while the one at left is breaking straight for the camera position.
The other one appears to be foundering, almost turning around.
The seaward-running woman stops and looks head-on at the walls of water, near collapse in empty-armed frustration.
The height of the wave is horrifying when you see the man's head at its base in perspective, and overtaking the boats.
Although no one may ever know the fate of these people, the photographic evidence shows they were a good solid family.
God bless them, please.