Lifeguards On Pace For Record Number Of Rescues At Malibu Beaches

MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — Lifeguards in Malibu are on track for a record number of rescues this year.

KNX 1070's Megan Goldsby reports Los Angeles County lifeguards have pulled almost twice the number of struggling swimmers and surfers out of the water this year compared with 2013.

Listen to Lifeguards On Pace For Record Number Of Rescues At Malibu Beaches

Under an annual review conducted by the Malibu Public Safety Commission, lifeguards reported more than 4,200 rescued swimmers as over 10 million visitors flocked to Zuma, Point Dume and other local beaches.

Officials cited dual factors of several heat waves and record-size surf for contributing to the high numbers indicated in a summary of lifeguard activity (PDF) from May 24 through Sept. 21.

Within that time period, Zuma proved by far the most dangerous, with nearly 3,500 rescues out of more than 6 million attendees overall.

The City Council directed the Public Safety Commission to conduct the annual review as part of the city's contract with L.A. County for public safety services provided by the Sheriff's Department, the Fire Department and its Lifeguard Division.

The review follows a report last month showing a record number of visitors - more than 61.4 million - hit the beach this year, according to county officials.