shari - 9-30-2008 at 09:26 AM
I am very sad to pass on this news about my favorite dentist Raymundo from Vizcaino. He drowned near San Rafael trying to save his friend who had been
sucked out by a current. Raymundo was also a well loved high school teacher and will be sadly missed by all.
I would like to take this opportunity to warn everyone of the dangers of swimming on remote beaches on the pacific and perhaps this tragic death will
serve to save others.
There are some strong currents particulary on an ebb tide that may pull a swimmer out to sea. If you find yourself being taken away from shore by a
current...do not panic...you can get back by swimming parallel to the beach edging your way back....or tread water and the current will pull you out
but may also bring you back toward shore just down the beach. Never swim alone and make sure to have some lifesaving apparatus in case you have to
save someone. Juan always beckons me back in when I get chest height...I will now listen to him.
David K - 9-30-2008 at 09:29 AM
Very sorry for the loss of his life... while trying to save another...
Barry A. - 9-30-2008 at 10:10 AM
----what a trajedy, and so unneccessary.
I have been caught in dozens of "rip tides" over the years, usually on purpose as it is an excellent way to get "outside" without wearing yourself
out---------shari is absolutely right------just go with the flow and swim at right angles to that flow, and you will eventually be ok. DO NOT fight
the rip tide-----it is much stronger than you.
Barry
Bajagypsy - 9-30-2008 at 10:30 AM
Oh how very sad. Our thoughts are with his family.
Sunman - 9-30-2008 at 11:36 AM
Tragic. Sorry to hear of this Shari.
2-tie-dye-4 - 9-30-2008 at 02:51 PM
That is so sad, what happened to the guy he was trying to save? My prayers are out to all of the families involved. If the other guy survived, I'm
sure he's a mess about it.
redmesa - 9-30-2008 at 04:57 PM
What a terrible loss to the area and to his family.
elgatoloco - 9-30-2008 at 05:00 PM
Very sad and unneccessary. He was a brave man to make a rescue attempt. My condolences to his family and friends.
A healthy respect for the ocean and basic knowledge goes a long way. You do not even need big surf for powerful rips to occur. In fact big surf
typically discourages most inexperienced folks from the even getting in the water.
At our little beach on the pacific we have seen people get caught in rips and helped out many times in the last 40+ years. Our house is on a cliff and
we have a good view of the surf line. When we see folks getting into the water we are always checking them out to see if they look like they can
handle themselves and what the conditions are. Two weekends ago we watched as some kids got in the water. One of them was immediately sucked out into
the rip and did not even know it, he was 'washed' toward shore when a set wave broke and picked him up and carried him toward the beach. At that time
I half joked that I should get my wet suit on and my board off the rack. About 20 minutes later my brother in law and I had to paddle out, I was on my
surfboard he jumped in his kayak that was on the beach, and we helped two teenage kids on bodyboards who had gotten caught in the rip . They were
paddling basically upstream without fins against the current for quite awhile going nowhere and tiring out. They had a very scared look on their faces
when we got to them. After we got to shore we took them up on the bluff so they could get a good view of what was going on in the water and that they
would be safe if they just moved 50 yards up the beach away from the reef/rip. They had very little experience in the ocean. We did not see them go
back in later.
shari - 9-30-2008 at 07:19 PM
yes...it was a very calm day which was why they were swimming in the first place...people from Vizcaino are not familiar with the ocean. Yes the man
that survived is very very upsest of course. This served as a warning for many parents here and I beg you all to be MORE careful in the ocean.
Skip_Mac - 9-30-2008 at 07:39 PM
Sheri,
Thanks for the reminder and egalo..., for the graphic. I have worked many beaches in Alta California and know that the rips can easily be seen from
high bluffs, and air photos (I am sure they are not available on a current basis for many beaches).
From the shoreline, they are subtle and changing. Often seen as only a slight suppression in the breaking wave pattern. Very few casual bathers
could pick up on the presence of a rip current. Also, how many of us ever get the chance to practice escape from one. I have in Alta California many
years ago. I learned that even ankle deep waves can trip you ant start you out under the right conditions.
In the Baja, you receive stronger swells from more directions than we do in Azatlan. Your conditions are more variable (always the beach and
underwater slope angle play in here). The slope of the beach on the Pacific side varies in response to the swells...IT will Change. Your surfers
know...the rip can be a Friend used for a free ride but not to be trusted.
Many regrets for your communitie's loss of a valuable friend... Losing a dentist is sad, losing a teacher echoes through generations.
May you and yours be preserved safe and well.