Big Crowds, Dangerous Surf

Lifeguards warned beach-goers of dangerous swimming conditions up and down the California coast Sunday as a high surf advisory remains in effect.

On Sunday the National Weather Service extended high surf advisories through the evening hours, the result of a powerful storm in New Zealand. 6- to 8-foot waves, with an occasional 10-footer, could hit the coast from San Francisco to San Diego.

Swimmers and surfers hit the beaches in droves over the holiday weekend. Near The Wedge in Newport Beach, surfers road waves measuring up to 20 feet.

But while some rejoiced, the powerful waves may have claimed at least two victims.

Russ Yamada was declared dead Saturday about an hour after he was found unresponsive in the ocean off San Onofre State Beach, an Orange County coroner's spokesman said.

Yamada, 42, was found near his surfboard about 4:35 p.m., according to a coroner's statement. He was taken to Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente.

Authorities are still searching for a swimmer who didn't return from body boarding with three friends near Sunset Beach earlier this week.

Jowayne Binford, 24, was reported missing late Wednesday. Lifeguards warned the men of strong rip currents and they attempted to get out of the water, but only three made it.

A rescue effort was quickly launched but rescuers were not able to locate Binford.

"He was on a body board and the body board washed ashore," said Marine Safety Chief Joe Bailey. "It's a bad sign."

Nearly two dozen people were rescued that day on Los Angeles County beaches from Marina del Rey north to Topanga, said Capt. Angus Alexander. High surf prompted officials to move several lifeguard towers farther inshore, he said.

Lifeguards urged beach visitors to be cautious and avoid the water if possible.

"We definitely tell people not to go in or go elsewhere, maybe even take a day off," said Newport Beach lifeguard, Boyd Mickley.

Rip currents can quickly exhaust swimmers who could drown if they fight the current instead of swimming parallel to the shore until they are out of it.