A man walking on the rocks at Bonny Doon Beach in California came face-to-face with a huge, crashing wave and, with no time to react, was swept away by the punishing surf.
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The unidentified 20-year-old from Boulder Creek survived the frightening ordeal that occurred around 4 p.m. Friday in Santa Cruz, according to KION.
California State Parks released the video Tuesday as a warning to beach-goers to be aware of their surroundings.
Gabe McKenna of California State Parks told KION that a witness called 911, but by the time rangers and lifeguards arrived the man was on shore. He was treated at the scene.
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“Sometimes waves will double up, and you’ll think you’re in a safe spot and all of a sudden a wave will just suck you in so quickly back into the ocean,” State Park Lifeguard Dan Perry told KION.
The Santa Cruz County Parks Superintendent told KION that if you are standing on wet sand or rocks, you are too close.
The huge wave was a precursor to what was expected to hit Mavericks by Wednesday night, according to SFGate. Mavericks is a big-wave surfing spot north of Half Moon Bay, about an hour north of Santa Cruz.
Waves of more than 35 feet are expected as part of a Pacific Ocean storm off the Aleutian Islands that is sending a giant swell to California, KSBW reported.
Photo courtesy of California State Parks.