Edhat Staff
Surfer rescued off Del Playa Ave (Photo: SBCFD)
Update by edhat staff
Five surfers have been rescued off the coast of Goleta Wednesday morning due to high tides and dangerous surf.
At 9:16 a.m., Santa Barbara County Fire Department Water Rescue Team responded to Goleta Beach for a report of a surfer in distress. Jet skis, rescue swimmers, and a helicopter were deployed as part of the rescue team, said Captain Dave Zaniboni.
Crews found a surfer near Goleta Pier who initially had been surfing off Campus Point. A jet ski was launched and a rescue was performed.
Shortly after another rescue was performed for a distressed surfer off the 6700 block of Del Playa in Isla Vista. A rescuer on a jet ski from Campus Point arrived and took the surfer to safety. Shortly after that, the dispatched helicopter performed a hoist rescue for a surfer stranded along the cliffs. Shortly after that, another surfer needed rescuing off Campus Point and another jet ski was dispatched with rescue swimmers. All surfers were young adult males, said Zaniboni.
At 11:30 a.m., a 67-year-old man was complaining of hypothermia making him the fifth victim in a two hour stretch, said Zaniboni. The man denied transportation to the hospital.
Captain Zaniboni stresses both the surf and the tide are very high and inexperienced surfers and swimmers should not be in the water.
By Roger the Scanner Guy
Ocean rescue between Goleta Beach and Campus Point. A surfer a half mile off the coast, Full County Fire Department response.
By Steve Mc Govern
At about 9:30 this morning (1-9-19), Santa Barbara County first responders rescued a surfer caught in the huge waves off Goleta Beach below UCSB. It appears he was one of at least three surfers who were in the area. Two others on paddle boards left the scene of the rescue heading south along the shore while the stranded person was towed to shore at Goleta Beach for firefighters.
Big waves at the Goleta Pier
First responders heading out for rescue
Closing in on stranded surfer, visible at the bottom of the stairs (which are closed and dangerous).
Surfer, off the beach, arrives at rescue craft where he was helped aboard the raft attached to the back by the rescue swimmer.
Once the stranded surfer was aboard, the craft headed back for Goleta Beach. Paddle boarder is seen to the upper left.
Once they arrived back at the beach, there was the matter of getting over the breakers to shore. The driver of the rescue craft dropped off the rescue swimmer and the surfer who made their way to shore.
Swimmer and surfer safely on shore.
Photos by Jessie A.
Photos from Goleta Beach and SB County Fire ocean rescue launch…impressive!
Video by 8AD
A surfer was caught between Campus Pt. and Goleta Beach at high tide.
By Marc Holden
Campus Point Water Rescue
Geez, WTF is wrong with these kooks? Decent waves are not for the inexperienced. Anyone with a Costco foam board should stay on the beach today.
Think this through OOPS – none of these guys asked for Fire Department help. Why should they be charged a fee for a call out? Someone else who thought the surfers were in trouble called 911. The Firefighters/rescue specialists really enjoy these calls and they sure beat polishing trucks or taking a class for the umpteenth time. Doubtful any of the rescuees would admit they were in dire situations and absolutely needed rescue.
I noticed the surfer very close to Goleta Beach Cliffs for quite a while. It did look like he was surfing there purposefully and under control. When I paddled out I could see him off in the distance. He eventually made it over to me by the stairs. I waved and then approached. He seem to be OK and he said “Hi”. Just then the rescue jet ski pulled up. The rescuers asked if he was OK and he indicated that he was but asked for a ride in. To be honest, I didn’t know we had a rescue team. It was great to know that they were ready and capable.
Today the water was very deceptive. It was extremely choppy with a strong current and big powerful waves. The surfer was probably strong enough to make it in on his own but I am glad that he chose to except some help. For some it may be better to stay ashore on a big day or have a buddy system.
Haven’t heard much of this but now hearing of another Ocean rescue at Gavoita Beach…
Just heard engine 17 is still on a swift water rescue near Campus Point had heard earlier it was a surfer on his surf board then heard he was not on the surf board..Getting info through other channels.
Just heard another Ocean Rescue at Del Playa and Camino Majorca unknown circumstances other than a rescue.
This has become an incident still unknown circumstances The Del Playa Incident radio in and out.
I have pictures and a video of the water craft put out.
There must be something weird going on with the Ocean to have these water rescues only experienced swimmers should be out in the water today.
Video of Santa Barbara Count Fire putting the Ski in at Goleta Beach
https://youtu.be/b-3Np31wUe4
Wow thanks for the pictures and Video another one at Del Playa a bit ago and Gavoita right after this one.. Gonna be a crazy week I guess…
Engine 14, Paramedic 17 and open water rescue along with the jet ski are all on the UCEN Surfcam live right now. Either on standby or ready to leave.
So glad for our first responders!
Do you think it would make a difference if these surfers knew that they would be charged a fee if there were called out? Maybe another legislative opportunity for Hannah-Beth
The waves were simply not that big or dangerous if you know what you are doing. North of SB, the waves were 2, 3, 4 or 5 times bigger and more powerful. When a surfer paddles out say at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, that surfer knows what they are doing. At Campus Point, it’s Barney, Beaver, and Goober mindlessly getting into the water, with their XtREaME Costco boards, only to get their diapers thoroughly washed. I saw one guy who couldn’t make it past the foam line on Wednesday…..gave up, and sat on the beach (just a guess, but he probably farted from exhaustion and was surprised when it came out of back neck of his XtREaME Costco wet suit).
From the picture, it looks like some buildings are going to need to be rescued before too long!
Are these kids out texting on their boards in between waves? Get a little scared and the panic call goes in?
The past never offered such soft pillow rescues. Paddle! Save yourself! Know your boundaries!
Physically-driven young men aren’t known for prudence or reliable forethought. That’s why they do extreme sports, dive off high cliffs and are drawn to exploration of the unknown. Some discover things, some die, some get older, wiser and have more experience about assessing danger. (Some women, too.)
Great… here comes Luvaduck blaming men for everything again. It’s getting old, duck.
@9:06 AM Not a good assumption. Luvaduck is likely referring to the sentence in the article that says … “All surfers were young adult males, said Zaniboni.”.
Eastbeach it’s no assumption. MANY of Luvaduck’s comments are either outright anti-male or otherwise bring up unnecessary “assumptions” and generalizations about young men, such as here (ie, “young men aren’t known for prudence or reliable forethought.”)
Hey Barney’s have a right to surf also you kook. I bet you’re that asshole that snaked me at campus point yesterday. I will get you ass wipe
I saw you get snaked from the bluffs…you were adjusting your bright yellow water-wing arm bands while holding a colorful floatie ring from Pool.World.com. Oh yeah, you totally got cut off, Barns.
absolutely. I’m sure the property owners will milk it for all it’s worth and wait til last minute, after being cited or more damage to persons & property.
I just don’t read duck’s comments. Is Duck female? So am I. It’s not all about gender.
Thanks to “old schoolers” like you, there will be no more surfers. Elders look as punky if not more than newbies. Amazing anyone else ever hits the water.