Lifeguards reported summer-like crowds along the coast today, with thousands heading down to the sand to cool off.

Light-to-moderate winds offered a bit of a cool down for beachgoers. However, not many people were brave enough to swim in the toe-numbing 52-degree water, keeping rescue numbers for lifeguards low.

“We’re packed,” said Laguna Beach Marine Safety Officer Josh Bynum. “(But) you look down at the beach, and no one is in the water.”

Laguna reported an estimated 10,000 people on the sand by mid-afternoon, with Seal Beach estimating similar numbers.
Huntington Beach Marine Safety Lt. Mike Beuerlein said crowds were at about 50,000.

“It’s definitely higher than we’d expect this time of year,” he said.
Huntington Beach will have added staff on hand tomorrow with the anticipation of another hot day on Monday.

“If the prediction comes true, it’s supposed to be unseasonably warm,” he said.

Huntington lifeguards reported three rescues, with several hundred preventive actions and half a dozen medical aids.
Both parking lots near the pier in Seal Beach were full by mid-morning, with beachgoers enjoying Ohana Day, an early Earth Day celebration put on by the Surfrider Foundation. Read story about Ohana Day here.

“We are at very heavy crowds today,” said Marine Safety Officer Nick Bolin. “It looks like a holiday summer weekend today.”

Lifeguards in Seal Beach had about 36 rescues, mostly due to moderate rip currents.

There were also six sting ray treatments.

In Newport Beach, lifeguard captain Jim Turner said about 70,000 people hit the sand.

“We had a lot of extra guards today, and we have every vehicle out on patrol,” Turner said. “It was a beautiful day.”

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