Lifeguards in Newport Beach had a busy Fourth of July, making over 350 rescues on Friday alone.
In the most serious rescue, Newport Beach Lifeguards said they rescued 10 swimmers from a “monster rip current.”
Video shot from a Huntington Beach police helicopter shows a rescue boat motoring out to save the stranded swimmers.
In Huntington Beach, with consistent surf over 8 feet, lifeguards rescued 152 people on July 4th, according to a news release.
“The powerful surf produced rip currents that were pulling hundreds of yards offshore into deeper water,” said HBFD Marine Safety Division Chief Trevor McDonald. “It was common to see large wave sets roll through, followed by multiple monster rip currents forming at once and pulling water — and swimmers — rapidly out to sea.”
Authorities were also warning of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf at Los Angeles County beaches through Sunday night, including Catalina, with an increased risk of ocean drowning.
Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, and waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore.
If you are caught in a rip current, lifeguards say, remain calm and don’t fight the current. Swim to the side to get out of the current. If you can’t escape, tread water or float. If you need help, call or wave for assistance.
It’s also wise to swim where a lifeguard is present and not to swim alone.
10 swimmers rescued from monster rip current
on the 4th of July in Newport Beach, CA. Captured by a Huntington Beach Police helicopter. Today, over 350 rescues were made in Newport Beach alone. #happy4th #swimnearalifeguard pic.twitter.com/nfHb4thTD0— Newport Beach Lifeguards (@NewportBeachLG) July 5, 2025
