Up and down the California coast last week, the Pacific Ocean delivered a dangerously large pulse of swell resulting in coastal flooding, damaged infrastructure and property, and in some cases, serious injury – a viral video from last week of bystanders in the City of Ventura scrambling from a giant wave resulted, according to the Ventura County Fire Department, in eight hospitalizations.
Last week was a reminder that during our big winter swells, and every day of the year, to never turn your back on the ocean. As we move forward into winter in the Monterey Bay, follow these safety guidelines when visiting the coast:
- Never turn your back on the ocean: conditions can change quickly. Sneaker waves occur when there is a long pause between groups of waves (also known as long period swell). That means conditions could look calm for up to 30 minutes before you see the full extent of wave runup.
- Keep a close eye on children and pets around the water, as they are vulnerable to getting knocked down and swept away by large surf. Keep pets on a leash.
- Stay back from jetties, rocks, and bluffs where waves are breaking. Large waves can carry large debris (logs, boulders) and easily knock over humans.
- If you plan on recreating in or around the water, know your limits and pay close attention to surf and tidal conditions.
