Lifeguard Rescues Young Boy from Powerful Surf at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz
A lifeguard at Seabright State Beach successfully rescued a young boy who was overpowered by sudden, heavy surf on Saturday. The incident was captured on video by local resident and photographer Scott Vander Dussen, who observed the waves swell significantly and crash down on the boy. Scott Vander Dussen noted that the ocean conditions changed rapidly, leaving the boy in desperate need of help. Two lifeguards worked together to bring the boy to safety, with one lifeguard maintaining a firm grip on the boy to prevent him from being swept back into the water. While beachgoers attempted to assist, lifeguard supervisor Byran Kine noted that while their eagerness was appreciated, it can sometimes lead to more problems. The rescue was one of at least 25 reported in Santa Cruz County on Saturday as massive swells pounded the shoreline. Officials from the Santa Cruz State Parks District reported that lifeguards performed 34 rescues over the weekend, completing 5,000 preventative contacts to ensure beach safety.