LOS ANGELES -- Surf on south-facing beaches remained dangerously high Saturday, one day after a body surfer died after being slammed into the rocks by a set of 20 foot waves in Newport Beach.
It happened at a popular surfing spot known as "The Wedge" shortly after 12:30 p.m., according to Newport Beach Fire department spokeswoman Jennifer Schultz.
The man, identified as 50-year-old Monte Kevin Valantin of Lawndale, was riding waves with several other body surfers when he became separated from the group, according to witnesses.
A set of twenty foot waves repeatedly pushed the man into the rocks as he struggled to swim out of the area.
Lifeguards risked their own lives and dove into the water in an attempt to rescue Valantin.
With the help of other body surfers, lifeguards were able to pull him out of the water and onto a lifeguard rescue boat.
Valantin, however, was "unresponsive" and not breathing when lifeguards reached him, according to fire officials.
He was transported to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, where he was pronounced dead.
Lifeguards up and down the Southern California coast have responded to numerous calls for help from swimmers and surfers who are getting in over their heads as some of the biggest waves in years pound local beaches.
Several surfers have been transported to hospitals.
The incident at "The Wedge" is believed to be the first fatality from the dangerous surf.
The Wedge is considered a mecca for body surfing, but is also known for its potential dangers. Wedge veterans have left the beach with concussions, fractured vertebrae and broken bones, officials say.
The waves ricochet off the rocky jetty at the tip of Balboa Peninsula, smashing together in white-frosted peaks that can tower 20 feet. The Wedge can chew up novices, flinging them onto the hard berm of sand or sucking them back into the churning surf.
Waves 10 feet and higher have also been reported in Huntington Beach and a rip current advisory is in effect at all Orange County beaches. Strong, dangerous rip currents are expected to continue through Sunday.
A high surf advisory is in effect until 10:00 p.m. Saturday for Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties.
Also in effect until 10 p.m. Saturday is a coastal flood advisory along the Orange County Coast, and National Weather Service forecasters said that minor coastal flooding was possible over low-lying, south-facing beaches in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Forecasters expect the swell to begin shrinking Sunday and diminish rapidly early next week.
Possible trouble spots start in Seal Beach at the mouth of the San Gabriel River, where waves of 4 to 7 feet could be seen.
The high surf is a byproduct of 50-knot winds that developed off Tahiti and are blowing toward Southern California, producing 8- to 12-foot swells at some beaches.
The waves are especially big during high tides, and have been attracting crowds of beachgoers trying to beat the SoCal heat.
The conditions are perfect for surfers, and the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing competition is being held in Huntington Beach through Sunday. But the surf is proving too much for other beachgoers, and lifeguards have warned them not to go into the water if the surf gets too high and dangerous.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning to boaters in south-facing harbors to anchor down. Beach homeowners also are being told to be wary of increased erosion from large waves and high tides. "It's going to be very dangerous; there's going to be a lot of rip current," said Sean Collins, chief forecaster for Surfline.com.
As high pressure continues to heat the Southland, the beaches are expected to be packed in the coming days.
"We're watching it and we're prepared . . . but then again, it's a prediction, so things might change," said Mickey Gallagher, a Santa Monica-based chief for Los Angeles County lifeguards. "Only time will tell."
Forecasters say the heat wave that has created broiling condition in the region for more than a week will continue through the weekend and into next week.
The weather service forecasted "triple-digit heat across portions of the mountains, deserts and interior valleys. The hot and fairly dry conditions will continue to bring heightened fire weather conditions to much of the interior through the week."
