For the record, the guys commentating were not filming this. I was filming it and those guys were sitting behind me. The beach was packed and there were people everywhere.

I work as a lifeguard since 2005, I've seen everything in the sea... But this place is another dimension, extremely dangerous. Respect for everyone seriously risking their lifes out there 🤙🏽

One evening several years ago a huge crowd was watching the really big waves. I saw a lady holding her little kids hand walking on the edge of the downslope and a wave came all the way up and knocked her small child down and sucked him all the way down the steep incline into the water. A lifeguard jumped from his tower and ran down and grabbed the kid in seconds before the next wave crashed. Absolutely saved his life. Everyone watching at the wedge that night cheered and clapped for the heroic life guard.

Had my life saved by a surfer at Huntington Beach cliffs in 1972. On one of those huge offshore double set days in September, I lost my knee board and both fins and got caught in between the 12 foot sets. I was totally gassed. There was nobody else around and I was going down. Then suddenly out of thin air, a surfer grabs me and pulls me ashore using the surf to expedite the rescue. I looked up moments later and he was gone. Thank you God.

I usually don't read comments, they generally piss me off. However this time I am so greatful to see people defending these lifeguards. If the armchair lifeguard there thinks they can do it better, go for it. I guarantee in 5 mins you will be the one being rescued. I can not stand people criticising lifeguards (and other professionals too really) without having the first clue what their job is really like. First rule of rescue: DO NOT BECOME A VICTIM!

That was annoying listening to the guy making comments about the lifeguards. Sometimes it's best to just keep your mouth shut and observe. Buddy of mine got pulled out of the Wedge once and the lifeguard that did it had his leg broken on the way in. Treat the guys with some respect.

The life guard who went out there deserves a medal or some sort of bonus. Well done.

dont insult the lifeguards they are hardcore as fuck and with the current at the wedge and a huge swell like this, their job is hard as fuck

I lost my swimsuit, fins and board in big surf at the wedge. I nearly drown when three huge waves put me through the wash cycle. I finally washed up on shore completely naked, and when the surf is big there are always big crowds watching. I didn’t care, at all! I casually walk through the crowd to my towel and dried off, the crowd cheered wildly!

Those lifeguards at the wedge are powerful swimmers.

The lifeguards are doing their jobs. High respect to them.

Lost my board twice on two seperate occasions over many years both due to a broken leash on maybe 8+ days. The first time I was able to overcome the exhaustion panic and eventually make my way back in over what seemed like forever. The second time was quite early in the morning and foggy where the shore wasnt visible, someone eventually appeared letting me rest on thier board for awhile until i could continue swimming. Those experiences taught me to never trust my leash and not surf conditions I wasnt sure I could swim out of on my own. Needless to say I learned a good lesson. Unexpectedley swimming 300+ yards after a long session with consistent sets in a full winter suit truly felt like a life or death experience. Im not Laird Hamilton and thats alright.

God bless these lifeguards risking their lives to save the lives of others 🙏

My respecto to all lifeguards who risk their life for others

Because you think lifeguards have supernatural power that allows them to swim through these waves?

Grew bodysurfing the Wedge, and the lifeguard in the water did the right thing, at the wedge there is a zone in the water where it is hard to get in and hard to get out, it is hard to get out because the beach is so steep from the big swell that when waves break the water will go up the steep slope then will rush down back out to sea making it tough to get in and it also contributes to making a riptide which also makes it tough to get in. The lifeguard knew not to fight the rip and just let the rip drift both of them out to sea where the boat can pick them up and he did not need the 2 lifeguards on the beach to do that.

I nearly drowned out in del mar when my leash got tangled around my neck and around another guys leash, its was like 8-10 feet and it happened during one of those rouge sets that wiped us all out. After the leash wrapped around my neck, I got held underwater and the leash was dragging me to the surface by my neck. Somehow after that wave it was calm for like 45 seconds and I was able to get untangled and paddled further out to not get caught by another wave as we were too far from shore. The waves kept getting bigger and bigger and I was so tired from being choked by the dudes leash I barely didn't make it out and another wave nearly got me. Then a surfer on a longboard pulled me further out past the break by letting me hang onto his leash and paddle a bit. He stayed with me and I was able to recover and take a wave in. Scariest day of my life and If that surfer didn't pull me out past the break I don't know what would have happened. No lifeguards and nothing else but one surfer saved my life

Very smart for the lifeguard to go out the back of the ripcurrent and go around instead of fighting to get back on shore. Spectators didn't know what was going on but that was the smartest thing to do very good job by them. And the lifeguards probably realized the situation unlike the other guy who went to go help him.

From a former lifeguard (city pools/lake), this video is scary stuff - guarding 300 screaming kids at a large city pool is one thing - this rescue is way beyond dangerous. The training/conditioning to become a professional lifeguard is intense - things most ppl don't realize on working this kind of beach - one cubic meter of water weighs over a ton - large breaking waves are like being hit by a truck - undertows, rip tides, sharp coral reefs/boulders, sharks, barracuda, jellyfish, debris, pollution, nearby storms - on top of ppl drunk/high or both, fights, theft...it's a lot to deal with. Experienced lifeguards working dangerous beaches & breaks know every rescue could be their last - once exhaustion/cramping sets in, so does panic & doom - and this is cold saltwater, very different from the warm tropical water off Miami - get rolled by a couple of waves & swallow water now choking or vomiting must be dealt with along with burning eyes & possible hypothermia - they're all lucky to be alive. Professional lifeguards are some of the best athletes on the planet - they don't make the big money of the NBA, NFL, MLB, but they put it all on the line to save ppl they don't even know - they're heroes plain & simple & should be paid more. I think working the wedge, these guards should always use wave runners to give them the advantage. BTW, the 2 guards watching were probably in training - weren't qualified to assist in those conditions - head guard took control & did his job - saved that guy's life!

Smart on Life Guards to go in further. Those waves were too much. You get stuck. Further in your safe. Boat picks you up. Good job.

Красавчики! Люди не плавайте в такую волну! Не создавайте проблем спасателям!!!

Thumbs up to all lifeguards..!

I'm a lifeguard. The first guy did a really good job. Some people always have something to say. The second and third guy got there a little too late.

Why would you say the other lifeguards aren't doing anything, are you a lifeguard? No. Then how do you know they aren't doing what they suppose to do?! It gets me upset when people assume the two other lifeguards were just standing there. Like they knew their partner had the rescue under control by the hand signal they received. They eyes never left the water and they stayed their incase their partner needed assistance(help) They weren't just standing there. They work as a team and they know what they're doing so please stop assuming things. Thanks.

Being at the mercy of the ocean is a terrifying place to be, I've been there and you never really get over it.

I've been in surf before, but nothing even approaching this. The takeaway is how close this guy was to getting back onshore, only to be pulled back out so easily. It's no wonder the Wedge has claimed so many people over the years.

Thank you Jesus🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 for our civil servants!!!💯💯💯💯

Solid rescue. The knowitall commentators should have rescued the guy since they are the experts (not talking about the man filming and the girl). As a side note I was there on Saturday and the lifeguards told people if you're in trouble wave us down. At 1:35 a guy says “lifeguards are morons” a guy surfed since early 1970 and could not go out 1. it’s blackballed (which means no surfing) and 2. assume he was 20 back then that makes him 60 years old now. 60 year old+20 foot surf=trouble.

That must a pretty powerful current to have waves coming in sideways like that. Respect the power of the ocean

I was there a few years back and even 1' deep water you can feel that current. strong under tow

My best friend, Great Good... !!! I wish you every day of your development.

The lifeguards are following protocol if its not safe then they have to wait for it to be safe. im a lifeguard and see nothing wrong with this

Massive deep rip with difficult lateral escape routes. Best to just be drawn out every single time. DO NOT FIGHT IT. Just let the tide carry you and save energy. When waves are crashing sideways to the ocean in front of you - DO NOT GO THERE - It is a rip that carries water back to the sea.

Everyone's an expert from the beach.. feet in the sand. Don't see anyone rushing from behind the camera out to help.. kooks.

Everyone becomes an expert when they are watching a rescue from the sidelines.

I would hate to be a lifeguard at the wedge. Pounding waves, lots of current, and plenty of greenhorns.

There is a lot that happens that the average person may not know is going on. For example, there may have been a rip tide that would have taken them out no matter how strong they are at swimming, then there would be even more people needing rescuing and no one to make the rescue(s). They have training and protocol for many reasons and they weren't doing anything wrong. It's easy to have hindsight bias, which is a real thing.

I got caught one time at OB San Francisco in the shorebread on a big winter day. I was literally 25 yards from the shore and couldn’t get to shore or go back out. Everytime I’d try to paddle either way another bomb unloaded on my head. No one was around. What saved my life was the decision to ditch my board and bodysurf/kamakazee an ugly wave letting it push me as far in as I could. That last 10 yards or so was a struggle after that wave. When I got to shore I thanked God to be alive.

I got plenty of chicks and treaty like royalty at the local bars but being a beach lifeguard was tough. People who had only swam in pools or maybe a lake run into the surf and the 1st time they cannot touch bottom freak out. Get on floats and drift away sometime miles. Lost kids,crooks stealing hotel keys and then robbing rooms. Most everybody is drunk and after a day in the sun get heat stroke.Jelly fish stings.Plenty of fights and other drama much less keeping a eye on the swimmers. We had very tough physical standards and a lot of training and at surf school swam 1/4 mile timed once a week. Cannot imagine working is these conditions.

I just watched a video of a girl at the of a waterfall. She slipped and fell down the waterfall. Her boyfriend and his best friend tried to save her and all 3 died. My cousin is a marine and he wouldn’t have gone out there unless they had a plan of action. Just jumping in and winging it is what gets a person killed.

I remember back in the 50s my brother and I were bodysurfing at 18th street. It turned in to a huge close out day and that very same boat, the Sea Watch, asked us if we wanted a ride. We took it! I wonder if that boat is over 60 years old, or if they got a new one and used the same name.

Sickest wave I ever saw. I used to lifeguard - glad it wasn't at this place. I was in LI NY and we always sent multiple guards and swam out with the buoy and the rope then hauled the victims ass in really quick. But we would have been to the victim quicker by observing. Easy to second guess! And major props to the Cali guards - they know their shit, but going in with 2 or 3 guys is a good system . Then having the other guards pull us into shore. It was a fun practice - quite a ride!

Those are some big waves...

It looks like everyone needs rescuing to me.

why would they get in the water anyway? As you can see, mother natures having a fit 🧍🏽‍♀️

The lifeguards are standing there because the other lifeguard basically has the guy and hes okay. Its not like they are going to swim out and ask him if hes okay.

That guy had absolutely no idea how to get in in a current like that. i love how the guy at the end gets in with no problem

Thanks for recording this dude. Great tool.

Nothing like a 30 wave set to get the heart pumping!

Dude came back the next day with a surf board.

People always believe they can conquer the sea ..... Even if you are the world's best swimmer, those waves will batter you into submission.

The Wicked Wedge - I know it well. Great job by lifeguards, in spite of some inane and annoying criticisms.

hard work ,the lifeguard that swim out did very good work

That's right, check-dewd; you don't even understand what Lifeguards do... Thanks for staying out of the water for us.

my brother is one of those lifegaurds 5:25

Hemicuda572, you've gotta swim out not in, he's in the impact zone, called that for obvious reasons. You go out because you can't fight the ocean, wait for a break and take a small wave in. A big high five to the lifeguards, dangerous job.

See the things they are floating on they are the lifeguards. Respect for all life guards that risk their lives .

Respect to the lifeguards and the guys out there. The commentators don't realize there sitting on shore....just watching.

Amazing how the guy was standing but still couldn't get in. Current was dragging him out. And it was non stop and he was fighting it. That's how you drown.

looks like the guy who get rescue is an excellent swimmer and did not panic

I have worn red trunks.....Respect .

The guy filming who got cuaght in the rip should have been wearing fins ! Glad it all ended well .

Horrible waves. Brutal break and undertow there. Too much white water. Nobody should be risking going that far out. Thumbs up for the lifeguards. Doing a dangerous job very professionally 👍👍👍

Very gooooood!!!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Us lifeguards risk our lives everyday. To the people with the camera... I would do the same to you if u needed help... But for now, I have no respect

Glad I watched this video. Now I know the wedge is not for me, (yet?)lol. Almost went there a couple days ago. I went to the other side of that rock pier though what a huge difference a mile (probably less) makes.

Shows how heavy that place is.

Good rescue!! I think it was not a good day for swimming..Aloha from Brasil!!

My respect to all lifeguard in the world..love all lifeguard .

The way those waves are crashing is crazy

Rip current....and a serious one at that. You can literally watch them, including the lifeguard, get sucked out.

Where's the rip? Does it run left as you face the beach and go out alongside the rocks?

How do they get sucked out when they are 2 feet away from shore?

i seriously think the people recording this video forget that lifeguards are also human have to follow certain safety protocols so they dont also succumb to the waves....

My brother used to surf the wedge years & years ago, also san ononfre

Gee why arn't those lifeguards out there, it's been three seconds, I mean I saw them drowning and thought "Hey I'll get my camera and video-tape people dying" I really like it towards the end when the lifeguards are standing there just checking to see if everyone's safe, no one's drowning, and the guy keeps going "They're just standing there, I mean what are they doing?" I'll answer your question, they're watching the water, making sure no one drowns.

Wtf goes there into the water with this waves? Are they nuts? Can anyone imagine how much power this waves have?

them waves are huge!

this people are insane to swim in this big incomming waves!! Poor Lifegards

What waves ! Why did they enter in terrible Beach ?

Newport Beach guards are some of the best trained guards in CA. If you're one of the ones bashing them or one of the morons in the video talking about what YOU think the guards SHOULD be doing, then grow some balls and tryout. You'll learn early in the process you'll fail.

Do you see those waves though?? If they went out there, they would need rescued too. The water is too strong for them to get out and save them, at this point they need a boat. It's better if they can stay there and keep an eye on where the people are. I can see where it is easy to criticize the lifeguards bc it looks like they are doing nothing but they are doing what they're supposed to. Kind of like a firefighter knowing that it's too risky to enter a house about ready to collapse. Granted some might still go in but protocol is not to if there is no point of safe return. Glad everyone got out okay. The sea is unforgiving and unbiased, be safe out there!

The life guards were not really expecting someone to not be able to get back into shore when that person was just out in heavy surf. The life guards reaction was more on the line of "are you serious?" and then he jumped in to help.

What current was that? Was it a riptide?

Good work!

Apparently everyone is an expert.

When seeing this as a lifeguard it looks all good but I reason we need to faster with our rescues especially with big surf like this

Oh my goodness, those waves are huge for anyone to be swimming in it.

ชอบแบบนี้แหระ...อยากลงไปเล่นจัง

Yeah, when its calmer they should definitely get out there too!

All the criticism from the spectators that most likely don’t swim the wedge or have ever been in this situation 💯 show some respect to these lifeguards . Kooks!!!

Turbonegro-Death From Above, with this vid is perfect!

Man what a scary place to be a lifeguard. It woukd be hard enough to just get yourself out of that

Where is it ? Scaring

The guys commentating are saying "that's the worst place to go " and criticising the lifeguards as if they are experts . Why aren't they getting out and rescuing them ?

Stuff nightmares are made of.

Good job dudes. I miss guarding.

these lifeguards have big balls to tackle this beach on a good day :s they probably have to send out the best of the best when surf is expected to be large.

People it's one thing to slap the kool-aid out of someone's hand, but it's a lot different to jump in and drink it with them.

even thought this video may be old to the people whomever it may be that were saying bad things about the lifeguards, they need to be quite. any many that has ever been at the wedge on a big day know it is incredibly difficult to swim into a huge break like this, think about it this way, these men had to swim against an olympic sized swimming pool rushing past them at 7 mph, if the men in this video think the life guards were insufficient maybe they need to but there lifes on the line.