Fourteen people rescued from Panther Beach on Sunday

Rising tides stranded fourteen people at Panther Beach just north of Santa Cruz on Sunday and everyone was brought back to shore safely, according to CHP.

Officers said CHP helped Cal Fire and Santa Cruz Fire with the rescue effort using a helicopter dispatched from Napa.

All fourteen people were safely taken out of the water and no one was hurt.

For many surfers along the Central Coast, this recent swell has been the best in quite some time. But big waves bring big challenges. And for Jesse Tom, he’s had his fair share of big slams, just ask him about the scars on his face.

“I was jumping off the point, rather than paddling all the way around taking the safe route, and I got pinned against the rocks,” said Tom. “You just got to slow down, cool your pace and take your time.”

But surfer or not, swimming or sunbathing, the ocean can almost always be dangerous.

“You know the ocean can change on a dime in a minute and if you’re not ready for it then you can suffer some serious consequences,” said long time surfer Mike Kolar.

Santa Cruz lifeguards are also getting ready for a busy season as the weather gets nicer. On Monday, they already had three jet skis out patrolling the waters.

“You have to watch each other,” added Kolar. “Even though it’s kind of a competition out on the water, everyone pretty much has everyone’s back.”