Beware Riptide, High Surf at SoCal Beaches: NWS

As Labor Day weekend approaches, the National Weather Service has a warning for beachgoers: beware high surf and dangerous riptides.

High-surf advisories were issued for Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. The OC advisory lasts until 6 p.m. Monday, while the others expire Sunday at 6 p.m.

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"Surf and swell conditions could be hazardous to anyone entering the water late this week and this weekend, with dangerous rip current potential," according to the NWS.

Breakers along the SoCal coast will range between 4 and 8 feet, with sets up to 10 feet possible in some areas. Water temperatures should stay between 63 and 72 degrees.

High surf also brings flooding concerns in low-lying areas like the Balboa Peninsula, where sand berms have been put in place in an attempt to keep the water back.

Beachgoers are being warned to stay off jetties and out of the water along stretches of Huntington Beach and Baby Beach at Dana Point due to high bacteria levels.

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The NWS recommends that beachgoers planning to swim talk to a lifeguard before entering the ocean.

"The lifeguard is familiar with the beach and can tell you where the safest places are to swim," according to the NWS.

Around noon Friday, dozens of body surfers were catching waves at The Wedge, a popular yet dangerous section of the Newport Beach coastline. Some ocean enthusiasts say these are the days that make or break body surfers.

"It's just the power of the ocean. It's unique and a lot of fun," said surfer David Green of Long Beach.

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