Swimmer Drowns in Zuma Riptide

A 29-year-old man drowned at Zuma Beach today when he became caught in a riptide in high surf and slipped under the waves.

The victim was spotted about 3:45 p.m. in distress near lifeguard Tower 9 in waist- to chest-high water amid 5- to 7-foot waves, Kenichi Haskett, ocean lifeguard captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division, told City News Service.

The man lost contact with the bottom and began flailing as lifeguards closed in on him, but he slipped beneath the surface and could not be found, Haskett said.

A sheriff’s helicopter crew spotted the man about 5:05 p.m. and lifeguards pulled him from the water, according to Haskett.

Despite resuscitation efforts, county fire paramedics pronounced the swimmer dead about 5:15 p.m., Haskett said.

Lifeguards rescued three other people from the Zuma Beach surf as the search and recovery effort was taking place, Haskett said.

As of 5:40 p.m., lifeguards had rescued more than 70 people from the water on that single beach, he said.

Lifeguards also took more than 3,000 preventive actions in an effort to keep people safe on Zuma Beach today, Haskett said.

“The surf is really big and the currents are really strong,” he said. “Today is not a good day for beginners.”

He said those taking to the water should check in with a lifeguard, swim within their abilities and stay in front of a manned lifeguard tower.

City News Service

Photo: Patch Archive