Heart-pounding video shows intense waves as lifeguards rescue boy at California beach

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- An intense rescue along the waters of a California beach was captured on video.

It happened at as large swells contributed to at least 25 rescues across Santa Cruz County, officials and witnesses said.

The rescue at Seabright State Beach near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk was captured on video by witness Scott Vander Dussen, who said he watched a lifeguard rush into the water to help the boy.

"I saw the lifeguard just run straight out into the water, and, you know, he dove in, setting fear aside," Vander Dussen said.

Video of the rescue shows a lifeguard battling powerful waves while working to bring the boy to safety. According to Vander Dussen, conditions appeared to change rapidly.

"And I think in this situation, the young man was already out there. I don't think he was bargaining for this. It looked like those waves changed quickly, and he just got overpowered and swept out," he said.

At one point, beachgoers attempted to assist but were also hit hard by the waves.

"We appreciate their eagerness to help, but often we find that that leads to more problems," said Byran Kine, a lifeguard supervisor for Santa Cruz State Parks.

Kine said the surf has been especially challenging.

"It is really, really strong surf right now, so even for us, it's really challenging, in the knee-to-waist-deep range when there's so much water moving," he said.

Vander Dussen described the lifeguard's efforts to keep the boy from being pulled back into the water.

"The lifeguard just had a gorilla grip on that young man, held him from getting swept back out," he said.

The rescue was one of at least 25 reported Saturday in Santa Cruz County as massive swells pounded the shoreline. In this case, a second lifeguard helped bring the boy safely onto the beach.

"They were trying to help, but then ultimately another lifeguard was able to assist, and I think the two of them did the lion's share of the work," Vander Dussen said.

All involved made it safely to shore. Vander Dussen said the outcome could have been much different without the lifeguards' actions.

"If the lifeguards were not out there, it would have had a different ending. He was in desperate need of help, and those two lifeguards went in and did what needed to be done," he said.