Just as you might just consider braving the beach (backup jacket in tow), San Francisco is being battered by sneaker waves.
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement (opens in new tab)through Wednesday afternoon.
In just the past few weeks, an angler was dragged to sea at Sharp Park Beach in Pacifica, two napping college students were pulled into the ocean and drowned in Santa Cruz, and a mother and daughter barely survived after being hit by a sneaker wave at Baker Beach.
Sneaker waves are large, forceful waves that can arise even on a seemingly calm ocean and have the capacity to knock down beachgoers and drag them into the water.
Brayden Murdock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, explained that sneaker waves occur most frequently during long-period swells, meaning there are roughly 15 seconds or more between waves.
Those long intervals mean some waves overlap, compounding their strength.
“These are some of the longer-lasting beach hazards than we’ve had in some time, but it’s not uncommon to see the sneaker waves throughout a good portion of summer,” Murdock said.
To protect against sneaker waves, officials warn to never turn your back to the ocean and to keep pets and children away from the water.
Calvin Mak was out fishing Monday morning at Baker Beach. Judging by the clawing from inside his bucket, it had been a successful day. The 60-year-old has been coming to Baker Beach to fish since he was in fourth grade, taking his poles on the bus with him from Lake Merced. He noticed in the last week that the swells have been getting stronger, estimating that 1 in 20 is a “big sweeper.”
Mak frequently warns kids to stay back from the surf. He advises tourists to check tide conditions (opens in new tab) and to avoid the water if swells are taller than five feet. Last week, Mak saw the swells were up to 10 feet.
“This whole Bay Area is so great, the resources, the fish, and crab. Everyone should come out and enjoy it more often,” Mak said. “But just, at the same time, be very careful. Mother Nature is very unforgiving.”
The added force of sneaker waves strengthens associated rip currents, strong channels of water that can pull swimmers far out to sea. The San Francisco Fire Department recommends that if you are caught in a rip current, you swim parallel to the beach, try to stay calm, and yell and wave your hands so people on shore can see you.
The SFFD emphasizes checking conditions online before heading to a beach.
“Know before you go,” a spokesperson said. “It’s very simple, we want people to enjoy San Francisco’s coast line, trails, and beaches, but we do want them to be aware of the dangers of the beaches.”
More about the author
Madeline Taub is a food reporter intern at The Standard. She was previously a contributor to Cityside’s food publication, East Bay Nosh. She graduated from UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
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