San Diego

Lifeguards Preparing for Huge Crowds, High Waves and Extreme Heat

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning as well as a high surf advisory for this week

It's not just the temperature that's heading up. The ocean is also warmer than normal for this time of year and that means more people are heading to the beach.

Ocean temperatures are expected to be in the upper 70s for the next couple of days and lifeguards say they are preparing for the huge crowds.

Part of their concern is the high surf expected this week. The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory that will go into effect as early as 8 a.m. Monday and last until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

"We could get a couple of feet overhead, so in the eight- to nine-foot range for the larger sets," Del Mar Lifeguard Chief Jon Edelbrock said.

When a high surf advisory is in effect, strong rip currents and dangerous swimming conditions are possible at San Diego County beaches, especially in North County. 

Sandi Rusconi and her kids are enjoying the warmer ocean temperatures in Del Mar. But she said she is keeping a closer eye on her kids ahead of the coming heat wave and high surf.

"It's very warm for the time being and that we're going to be hitting a heatwave this week so the kids are drinking a lot of water," Rusconi said.

The NWS has issued an excessive heat warning that will be in effect over the next four days.

She said they will still try to cool off at the beach but she'll make sure her kids are extra careful in the water.

Edelbrock said his lifeguards are ready. The heat and the big waves will attract more surfers and even larger crowds. So far, the lifeguards in Del Mar have broken records in the number of rescues.

"For June typically we're in the 150-175 rescue count for that month," Edelbrock said. "We're at about 350 this year. Already in July, we're at about 275. So that's a pretty busy summer."

He said the water temperature in Del Mar has already hit 78 degrees — warmer than average water temperatures at this time of year.

"Which is our warmest water since 09 or 2010," he said. "It's definitely an outlier for July."

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