Let me admit it……I blew it! I was out of town on business this past Tuesday and Wednesday. So yes, I was kicking myself when all hell broke loose on Wednesday morning and I was 400 miles away watching it on webcams. I received some texts early Wednesday morning as waves pounded against the 56st lifeguard tower almost knocking it over and into the surf. The high tide mark almost came to the volleyball court. The tractor arrived about 20 minutes later and dragged the tower up the beach to safety. All breaks in Newport were firing and the lifeguard boats bobbed around at sea looking like toy’s amidst that giant waves. Some surfers braved the hurricane swell but there were many more beach observers than people actually in the water. In front of HQ we have suffered a lot of sand erosion due to the heavy swell. It’s gonna take a few weeks for some of that sand to get pushed back up on the beach…..if it ever comes back at all.
Ronny Nelson 8/24/14 behind the 56st Jetty in Newport Beach
Ronny Nelson 8/24/14 at 56st in Newport Beach
Surfline Image from drone Newport Beach 8/24/14 swell lines miles out
We lost a lot of sand during this swell
Tower getting dragged to safety, note the high tide water mark
Note the drone filming this lucky guy catching a good one at 56st