Lifeguards on alert

June Casagrande

Hot, beautiful weather and strong, storm-powered surf are expected

to create the worst of both worlds for lifeguards this weekend.

Newport Beach lifeguards will be out in full force on Saturday and

Sunday as the sunshine draws in the crowds and the waves drag them

out -- conditions local officials are calling “extremely hazardous.”

“We plan to be fully staffed this weekend, which includes all 38

lifeguard towers, and we might even add some extra roving

lifeguards,” Newport Beach Lifeguard Lt. Rob Williams said.

Morning haze is expected on Saturday, and partly cloudy conditions

could persist throughout the day on Sunday. But some perfect beach

weather will fall in between, with highs in the mid-70s both days. In

inland parts of Costa Mesa, temperatures are expected to be well into

the 80s.

A faraway hurricane is expected to compound the burden on the

lifeguards. Hurricane Elida, now about 1,300 miles southeast of

Newport Beach, will probably send some serious waves this way by

Saturday. As of Thursday, Elida’s winds were raging at about 160 mph.

“It’s very likely that will affect Newport by the weekend,” said

Stan Wasowski, a forecaster for the National Weather Service.

Thursday proved a rough preview of things to come. Already, surf

from the tropical depression Douglas hit Newport Beach shores,

jacking up waves that had been about waist high and bringing 10-foot

sets to the Wedge. Riptides and a strong side current were churning

up the water.

This combination of conditions is expected to dramatically

increase the number of rescues lifeguards will have to perform

throughout the weekend. Last weekend, fewer than 20 people had to be

retrieved from local waters. But this weekend could see the rescue

count jump as high as 200 to 400 a day.

On Thursday alone, there were about 200 rescues, said Eric Bauer,

lifeguard captain.

Injuries included a broken collarbone, a person with a rapid

heartbeat and one child who was taken to Hoag Hospital with a minor,

non-surf-related injury.

In all, the lifeguards did a great job, Bauer said, adding that he

expects the same today.

At least 70 lifeguards will share the lifesaving responsibility.

In addition to the tower guards, about 10 beach patrol vehicles will

each be staffed with one or two lifeguards each. Three lifeguard

boats will be in the water, each with two people. And other

lifeguards will be on staff to go wherever they’re needed.

The best thing members of the public can do to pitch in, Williams

said, is to play it safe.

“We always advise people to use extreme caution,” Williams said.

“Right now, we have very hazardous conditions. We recommend that only

expert swimmers and surfers go out in surf this big.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].