The hurricane swell that rolled in today caught many people off guard - including lifeguards who didn’t anticipate the surf to be as strong as it was as this blistering heat sent people to the shores for relief.

Laguna Beach Marine Safety Capt. Tom Trager said surf rose to 8 feet in Laguna Beach today, and lifeguards had to put up a red flag warning - which means inexperienced swimmers need to stay out of the water.

The beach warning will continue through tomorrow, with surf and rip currents expected to be just as strong.

“We had a lot of lifeguards working hard to prevent people from getting in trouble, and educating them on why today wasn’t their day,” Trager said.

Forecasters have been predicting for the swell to taper off today, but then it hit harder and stronger than expected. Hurricane swells send waves in at close intervals, slamming the shore one after the other and making it difficult for swimmers. Though there will be a slow decrease over the weekend, there will still be strong waves that beach-goers need to be aware of.

“The message we want to put out to people is: Unless you’re an experienced ocean swimmer with two fins, then we’d prefer you wait for another day to get into the ocean,” he said. “It’s a pretty significant swell we’re having.”

Scuba diving will also be restricted this weekend, and people will be prevented from going onto rock jetties. The yellow and red flag warnings will continue through the weekend in Laguna Beach.

Newport Beach lifeguard Capt. Jim Turner said lifeguards there put up red flags as well.

“I was hoping things were going to lay down a bit, bit it was consistent,” he said of today’s hurricane swell.

The Wedge was typically big, but no major injuries like the spinal cord injury reported Wednesday of a 22-year-old pro tennis player.

With the heat driving people to the coast, Turner said lifeguards will be on alert.

“We’re anticipating big crowds and a busy day,” he said of Friday.

Read more on Sciencedude’s heat coverage, and what the National Weather Service is saying about it.

Here are photos of today’s hurricane swell at Doheny State Beach:

Ignacio advisory from the National Hurricane Center

Sciencedude blog on Ignacio earlier this week

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