Surfer Reaches Shore After Distress Call Near Big River Beach
A water rescue is underway off the Mendocino Coast just after 11 a.m. Wednesday morning.
According to scanner traffic, a surfer was in distress near Big River Beach and unable to return to shore. First responders were dispatched to the area, and a Coast Guard helicopter was requested.
Rescuers relayed to dispatch that the surfer was able to get close enough to shore to stand five minutes after the first reports. Shortly thereafter, the surfer was able to make their way onto the shore and declined medical assistance.
According to surf-forecast.com, surf conditions along the Mendocino Coast on Wednesday include moderate winter swell, with waves estimated in the 4- to 6-foot range. West to west-northwest swells with periods around 12 seconds were producing steady sets at the river mouth around the time of the incident.
Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.
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I think the surfer was “higher” than the surf! The surfer should be charged for the first responders and the Coast Guard flight. I know that won’t happen but is really should.
Wow, that’s some judgmental guesswork on your part! It’s unlikely that the surfer, being, you know, in the water, made the call requesting assistance. And if I saw someone in trouble, I’d probably call first responders too. Wouldn’t you? If the surfer got in on their own and you had made the call, should you be charged for the response?
I call them as I see them. I have the right to be judge mental [edit]. The surfer should be responsible for his/her actions which required first responders and the Coast Guard.
It’s spelled judgmental. Unless you’re British.
WRONG, try again please.
Martin says: “I have the right to be judge mental.”
Is it god (that you give lip service to) that gives you that right?
You seem to have forgotten Matthew 7:1 and the injunction to “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
You’ve never apologized for your completely false judgements against the parents of baby Oliver who you accused of fleeing the scene when in truth they risked their lives trying to save their baby [edit]
Better to stick to your apparently insincere condolences and quit making false assumptions and passing judgement without knowing the facts.
I will stick to what I believe is the truth and nothing less. I have never made insincere condolences or false assumptions. I think you are being judge mental towards me. Where do you seem to get your information, I really don’t know.
Martin, you frequently make false assumptions and cast judgements.
Maybe you’ve forgotten your despicable comments to this tragic story: “INFANT MISSING AFTER VEHICLE PLUNGES INTO TRINITY RIVER EARLY THIS MORNING”
One of your comments:
https://kymkemp.com/2025/05/01/infant-missing-after-vehicle-plunges-into-trinity-river-early-this-morning/#comment-1830442
And another person’s reply:
https://kymkemp.com/2025/05/01/infant-missing-after-vehicle-plunges-into-trinity-river-early-this-morning/#comment-1830970
Followed by my reply to them:
https://kymkemp.com/2025/05/01/infant-missing-after-vehicle-plunges-into-trinity-river-early-this-morning/#comment-1831035
Now do you remember?
“I have never made insincere condolences or false assumptions.”
Utter horseshit.
id say onlooker spells just fine! and i am a multi time spelling CHAMPION. you disqualified yourself. goodbye!
The first word in your comment is incorrect. Goodbye.
g
Back to basics. Did the surfer call for assistance? Should you charge someone for another person’s actions? Can’t you just be glad there are first responders?
I believe the surfer did call for assistance, but he was standing in only 5 feet of water and made his way to shore all by himself. Considering he made the call he should have to pay for his actions.
already paid–in taxes
Just because you have the right to be an asshole doesn’t mean you have to exercise it.
I believe the same goes for you also ABA.
Were you there sir? If not maybe you should reconsider.
Charles were you there at the scene?
Only morons fail to understand that no extra money is involved in rescues. First responders and Coasties are salaried. Rescues are excellent training as well.
Not all first responders receive a salary. Tell that to the men and women who make up a great group of volunteer first responders. They do it to help others in need and they don’t ask for anything in return. Have you donated to a volunteer fire department?
Exactly
6 @ 12 seconds ? Who would want to paddle in.
Another idiot. If you go in the water here you better learn about tides and weather. Check the noaa information to avoid trouble, and yes they should be penalized for risking our first responders.
Finally, a comment that makes sense. Thank you.
There are some strong rip currents at that break. Probably got caught in a rip on an out going tide and struggled for a bit.
Knowing how to deal with rip currents is just part of basic surfing knowledge.
Absolutely.
Most surfers with years of experience have been in situations that they would rather not have been in.
The dude survived. What else matters?
Nothing farfromputin!
While I’m a bit too old to still surf (unfortunately) I was an avid surfer for 50 years, most of it on the lost coast. So coming with this experience I am going to guess that the surfer lost their board due to either their leash coming off or not using a leash at all. Then someone on shore saw that the surfer had lost their board but didn’t realize that a surfer in a wet suit is still well prepared for a swim in. 4 to 6 feet at 12 seconds should be child’s play.
I used to joke that when I was suited up and in the water I was just another marine mammal. And not the top of the food chain either.