Sheriff’s Office warns people of dangerous beach

The beauty that is Monastery Beach draws tourists in. “I just wanted to walk along the beach a little today and this is just the perfect spot,” said Rebecca Lacayo from San Jose.

The cove is seen as calm and inviting, but many don’t know that danger lies just offshore. “We probably go out 10, 15 times a year for rescues. If it happens at Monastery Beach, unfortunately, it doesn’t turn out very well,” said Commander John Thornburg for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team recovered the body of 33-year-old Sridhar Ekambaram at Monastery Beach. Witnesses said he dove into the water to save his son when the waves swept him out. “We don’t find folks that often when they go missing under these types of circumstances because of the nature of the ocean. We were fortunate enough to find him but, unfortunately, he didn’t survive,” said Thornburg.

Crews were able to rescue Ekambaram’s son but the Sheriff’s Office said many are not as lucky. They explain that a deep canyon lies just offshore. This creates a very powerful undertow that often does not let up. “It’s not like other beaches where you just walk out, maybe the wave knocks you over a little, but you’re able to walk out. That’s not what most people can do at this beach and that’s the issue,” Thornburg said.

Signs warning people of this danger are posted in multiple locations, but some said it’s not enough. “Now I see the red flags but I wasn’t paying any attention to them at all when I was getting ready to walk down to the water. If I was a swimmer, I may not notice them, either,” said Francie Adams from Ohio.

“They need a great big sign on the side of the road that says ‘dangerous beach, enter at your own risk,'” said Ken Howard from Ohio.