A father and his 15-year-old son managed to get trapped on a rock at sea after 'sneaker waves' pulled them away from the shore.
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Per a report by People, the pair were unwillingly pulled out to sea by strong currents while boogie boarding. The incident occurred over the weekend in Oregon, and the outlet notes that the district had issued a Beach Hazard Statement.
Boogie boarding, or bodyboarding, is a water sport where the rider lies on a small board. Much like surfing, the boarder heads out to sea to catch waves before they break on the shore.
The U.S. Coastguard Pacific Northwest posted a
press release regarding the incident on Facebook. The release explains, 'Air Station Astoria received reports from Seaside Dispatch about a father and son caught in the currents off Indian Beach.' A concerned bystander spotted the pair out at sea drifting north and notified the coastguard when the father and son disappeared from view.When the coastguard learned of the incident, they issued a UMIB, a safety warning broadcast. Fortunately, an Air Station Astoria helicopter was already performing a training exercise in the area. The coastguard diverted the crew to help the father and son. The press release also explains that rescue teams from Seaside and Cannon Beach also assisted in the rescue.
The helicopter crew eventually located the boogie boarders and hoisted them into the vehicle. According to People, rescue teams arrived just after midday, taking roughly 12 minutes to make visual contact. No injuries are reported in the press release, and the helicopter crew dropped the pair off with emergency services.
The Pair Were Likely Trapped By Sleeper Waves Off The Beach
The National Weather Service posted a warning for the north coast on Sunday, January 19, forewarning of potential sleeper waves. According to the National Weather Service, sneaker waves are 'potentially deadly waves that surge further up the beach than expected. The waves can pull unsuspecting beachgoers into the water and can even dislodge heavy debris, like logs.
Per People, a spokesperson for the Cannon Beach Fire District told the outlet that this was one of five rescues they'd conducted that week alone.
