California’s Warm 2014 Brings Something Else: More Beach Rescues

L.A. County lifeguard Morgan Wallace watches the water next to the pier in Venice. During the peak of a heat wave in September, lifeguards made 187 rescues in a single day — 88 of them at Venice Beach alone. (Credit: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

by: Los Angeles Times

Posted: Nov 8, 2014 / 05:21 AM PST

Updated: Nov 8, 2014 / 03:26 PM PST

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Here’s another byproduct of California’s unusually warm 2014: more lifeguard rescues at local beaches.

Busy lifeguards

As of Nov. 3, Los Angeles County lifeguards have already rescued more people in 2014 than they have in any single year in the department’s history, officials said.

Lifeguards have made 14,331 ocean rescues so far this year, breaking the record of 14,096 set in 1997.

Acting Chief Lifeguard Steve Moseley said the consistently warm weather this year and unusually tumultuous surf have combined to draw more people to the beach.

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