UPDATE: NWS warning Super Bowl tourists about rough surf

UPDATE 2/4/2016 5:19AM: The National Weather Service is warning beach goers to be on alert. A high surf advisory is in effect through Friday, but treacherous conditions could last through the weekend.

A trilogy of trouble could be lurking in the water. From sneaker waves to rip currents to frigid temperatures, meteorologists said residents and tourists need to be alert.

“We’re expecting a lot of people to come to our beaches this weekend,” said Larry Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Monterey. “There’s a lot of high profile events in the area, so some of the people aren’t used to the conditions we have here on the West Coast, so they may not be familiar with how large our waves are and the potential for being washed off the beach or off of the rocks into the sea by a wave.”

Fears of being swept away are fresh in the minds of many. It was just last month when two U.C. Santa Cruz students were swept away at Bonny Doon State Beach. Local surfer Jack Silverwood said he knew his limits and came back in after surfing at Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove. He said other people, not so much. In fact, he said his friend had to help rescue a man on Thursday morning.

“Clearly he had no idea what he was doing out there, and thought it would be a fun idea to go surfing and in swell conditions like this, not a good idea,” Silverwood said.

While the advisory may end on Friday, the threat remains. Rip currents can catch unsuspecting swimmers. If people do get caught in one, NOAA recommends trying to swim parallel to the beach. Once you are out, swim at an angle towards the shore. if that doesn’t work, try to stay afloat and tread water.
One piece of advice from officials — Never turn your back on the water.

“Be very respectful of the ocean, said Steve Scheiblauer, Monterey Harbormaster. “The power of the ocean and appreciate that it may do things you don’t expect.”

ORIGINAL STORY: The National Weather Service in Monterey is trying to get the word out about rough surf conditions related to El Nio.

With an unprecedented number of tourists making their way to the Central Coast thanks to the Super Bowl and next week’s Pro-Am, experts say it’s important they understand how dangerous the ocean can be. Just two weeks ago, two UCSC students were swept off a rock into the ocean and drowned. Then, two experienced BASE-jumpers were swept away.

KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more on this tonight.