Heavy surf in California. Marine rescues. Big wave injuries. New surfing chairman. Monies for surf movies.

surfer rescued after holding onto a lobster trap

It was a busy and sobering weekend for California marine rescue crews, with multiple incidents tied to heavy surf and dangerous conditions along the coast. Near Goleta, a 26-year-old surfer was swept offshore at Haskell’s Beach after losing his board in rough evening surf. His friend reported him missing quickly, which likely made the difference.

Rescue teams first located his board on the beach, then used infrared-equipped drones to scan the water. He was eventually found about a quarter mile offshore, clinging to a lobster trap buoy. Rescue swimmers reached him under drone guidance and escorted him safely back to shore. He was evaluated and released without major injury. Officials repeated the evergreen warning: don’t surf alone in heavy conditions.

boat barrels through steamer lane

Santa Cruz saw one of the wildest scenes of the weekend when a boat sped directly through the Steamer Lane surf lineup in heavy conditions and capsized in the whitewater. The vessel, carrying six people including children, was overwhelmed by breaking waves and flipped, throwing everyone into the impact zone.

Surfers in the lineup immediately paddled into rescue mode. Multiple accounts describe surfers pulling struggling adults onto boards while coordinating to locate the children amid breaking sets and language barriers. Harbor Patrol and emergency crews arrived shortly after and recovered everyone from the water.

Authorities reported several occupants were not wearing life jackets. All six were transported for medical evaluation. The incident has triggered a lot of local discussion about boating judgment in surf zones and how often surfers end up acting as first responders.

search suspended for two missing santa cruz surfers

In a separate Santa Cruz incident, the Coast Guard suspended a search for two surfers reportedly seen in distress near the lighthouse on West Cliff Drive. Crews searched more than 90 miles over roughly ten hours using boats, aircraft, and partner agencies.

No confirmed missing persons reports were ultimately matched to the distress calls, and no surfers were located. The Coast Guard said the decision to suspend was based on survivability assessments and lack of additional verified information.

It’s an uncomfortable reminder of how difficult surf-zone searches are, even with modern air and marine resources — and how critical fast, accurate reporting is when emergencies unfold.

justine dupont fractures vertebra at big wave event

Big wave surfer Justine Dupont suffered an L1 vertebral fracture during competition at the Thriller at Killers event at Todos Santos. Surfing in solid 20–25 foot conditions, Dupont took a heavy wave on the head and injured her back, forcing her withdrawal from the final.

In a hospital update, she credited fellow surfers, water safety teams, and medical staff for getting her safely out of the water. She’ll be in a brace for several weeks but says she is expected to make a full recovery and return to surfing in the coming months.

usa surfing names new commissioner

USA Surfing has named longtime industry figure Todd Kline as Surf Athlete Commissioner, a role focused on representing athlete interests as the organization builds toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Kline brings a background spanning pro surfing, brand leadership, and broadcast commentary.

The position is designed as a direct bridge between competitors and governance, with an emphasis on protecting athlete pathways across shortboard, longboard, para, and junior divisions. The appointment also signals continued consolidation after recent governance disputes over who controls Olympic surfing in the U.S.

Kelly Slater publicly supported the appointment, calling Kline someone deeply rooted in surf culture and athlete advocacy.

£10,000 women of the sea film fund opens submissions

The Finisterre x London Surf / Film Festival Women of the Sea Film Fund has opened submissions for its fourth year, offering a £10,000 production grant for a short surf film focused on women and surf culture. The finished project will premiere at the 2026 festival.

The fund is open to women filmmakers based in the UK, Ireland, USA, and Canada, and supports both emerging and established creators. Past funded films have explored identity, community, and representation in the lineup.

Submissions close on International Women’s Day—March 8— and the fund continues to stand out as one of the few surf-specific film grants aimed directly at correcting gender imbalance behind the camera.