Four Surfers Rescued Off Isla Vista Coast During Dangerous Conditions

Four surfers rescued during dangerous weather conditions off the Isla Vista coast on December 28, 2023 (Photo: Santa Barbara County Fire Department)

Four surfers were rescued off the Isla Vista coast on Thursday morning.

At 10:38 a.m., Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the coast off the 6800 block of Del Playa Drive after receiving reports of surfers in distress.

One surfer self-rescued while the three remaining surfers required assistance from the County Fire Department’s Water Rescue Unit.

The surfers suffered from exhaustion due to the high surf, but were otherwise uninjured and not transported to the hospital for treatment, reports Captain Scott Safechuck.

One surfboard was lost with the water rescue team attempting to locate it.

Four surfers rescued during dangerous weather conditions off the Isla Vista coast on December 28, 2023 (Photo: Santa Barbara County Fire Department)

Later Thursday, the County Fire Department’s Water Rescue Teams responded to jet ski riders in distress and a capsized boat off the coast of Hollister Ranch. A total of six people were found safe and uninjured in these incidents.

Edhat reader Anna was the first to report this incident from emergency scanner traffic and stated the boat overturned and sunk off Government Point.

Edhat previously reported the body of a surfer was found in the ocean off Mesa Lane on Wednesday. Details have yet to be released on this incident.

The National Weather Service issued several weather alerts this week that includes dangerous surf, life-threatening rip currents, and coastal flooding.

The weather service’s warning also included people stay out of the water due to these dangerous conditions.

Edhat Staff

Written by Edhat Staff

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6 Comments

  1. It was an expert-only day. Plain and simple. Some lost their lives, some their vehicles, and some just their pride. Too many people overestimate their abilities and underestimate the power of nature, without even considering how they can handle themselves when the sh-t hits the fan.

    Go ahead two or three of the standard a Edhat haters and dog me for being too harsh or a “meanie” if you want..

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