Why so many people are getting swept to sea along California's coast

SF Gate ^ | January 12, 2021 | by Ashley Harrell

[Oldeconomybuyer]

A magazine editor visiting from Salt Lake City was walking along a Humboldt Bay jetty with her son.

A school principal was on vacation, taking family photos by the sea in Mendocino Big River Headlands State Park.

A father and his two young children were spending a Sunday at Blind Beach in Sonoma Coast State Park.

A man in his 30s was hiking with friends along the coast in the Marin Headlands.

A man and woman were searching for mussels on the rocks at Pescadero State Park.

Then came the waves.

Each of these people was swept from dry ground into the frigid, turbulent sea. Each faced the shock of the cold, the pounding of incoming, indifferent waves.

Three were pulled from the sea during difficult rescue attempts and pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Four are still missing and presumed dead. One — the still unnamed man who was searching for mussels — is in the hospital.

All of these incidents occurred along California’s coastline over the last five weeks. Three took place over the weekend. It feels like the right time to ask: Is this normal?

Yes and no.

“The way this winter season is going, there has been a lot of strong storm activity across the North Pacific that’s responsible for these wave trains coming in,” said Rick Canepa, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “There’s nothing unusual about the timing.”

[cyclotic]

That’s what I meant by ride it out. Swim sort of with the current.

[Pajamajan]

They died of Covid.

[cymbeline]

“Yes, they’re called LIFE PRESERVERS!”

A coat has long sleeves. Are there long sleeved life preservers.

I’m thinking of something to keep you warm but you don’t intend to use in the water.

[LouAvul]

And the beaches south of Coronado are littered with trash, cigarette butts, broken glass and toxic waste.

"But the weather's so nice!"

[Lurker]

Never ever turn your back on the ocean. In all the waters of the world there is not one drop of mercy.

L

[LouAvul]

Real answer: Rouge Waves.

Rouge: noun, a red powder or cream used as a cosmetic for coloring the cheeks or lips.
verb, color with rouge.
"the makeup artist rouged my cheeks"

[mfish13]

Swim sideways until you are out of the current, then head for shore.

[Rummyfan]

There’s a college somewhere that includes drownproofing training as a requirement for graduation.

It was a required course at Georgia Tech. And there were many many students who put it off to their final quarter before taking it. I thought it was kinda fun. Tie my hands and feet and throw me in the pool? Sure!

[Stix]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9042067/Gov-Newsom-backtracks-tells-Californians-beach-mental-health.html

[moovova]

Humans think...”If California’s cute little 3-inch protected delta smelt are safe here, I should be...”.

Whoops.

[dainbramaged]

In all the waters of the world there is not one drop of mercy.
Darn right - I spent a lot of time commercial fishing on the West Coast in my younger days and have concluded the ocean really doesn't want us anywhere near her.
I had a plaque mounted in my salmon troller that said: "Oh God, thy sea is so great and my boat is so small".

[Albion Wilde]

It’s the giant sucking sound coming from the East, vacuuming up our jobs.

[Rebelbase]

The sea was angry that day my friends...

[Larry Lucido]

Swim sideways

I can't swim sideways or backwards. Just forwards. How would that work?

j/k

[mfish13]

swim sideways parallel to the beach until you get out of the rip tide, then swim in. Backstroke, Freesyle, anyway you swim.

[Larry Lucido]

That’s what I figured. :-)

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Well played sir!

[Fledermaus]

The Atlantic above FL isn’t much better. The “sand” is like gravel and the water is cold.

[Fledermaus]

And don’t forget dihydrogen monoxide is used in chemical manufacturing and gets in our oceans, rivers and streams.

Must Be Banned!

[Fledermaus]

Marty McFly has a nice vest.