Tuesday and Wednesday evenings we went for beach walks and stayed until sunset.
On Wednesday night, we were with our son and daughter-in-law at our favorite beach. Everyone but me went swimming or boogie boarding. The waves were unusually big. This area is known for having the “world’s safest beach.” Normally there isn’t a current, rip tides or big waves. Wednesday was different.
My husband, son and DIL were out in the ocean in front of our beach chairs and umbrellas. After a few waves, they were way down the beach. When they walked back from the other end of the beach, they said there was a really strong current.
There were only four other people on the beach that evening — a couple including a stunning brunette woman under a pop up tent and two ladies walking their golden retriever.
The brunette jumped into the ocean. She was getting knocked around by the waves, right and left. We watched her swimming and diving under the waves and she looked like she had it under control. Her boyfriend was sound asleep under their pop-up tent.
We were sitting on the sand when my husband said, “Where did she go?” We couldn’t spot the brunette in the ocean. Since my husband had fought the current earlier, he walked down the beach to where he ended up. He spotted her more than a quarter of mile away. He called to her and asked if she was okay. Finally, she gave him a thumbs up.
The brunette walked up the beach to us. “I could have died out there. That’s my new boyfriend and he was asleep,” she said pointing to the man face down under the pop-up tent.
She and my husband talked about how strong the current was. He explained he was worried when she was out of sight. He said he could tell she was afraid and struggling. He wanted to make sure she was okay. She asked our names and introduced herself, Jennifer Lopez. She offered to buy us dinner downtown Santa Barbara next week to thank us.
I said, “No, that’s okay.” My son and DIL said, “You should do it!”
Jennifer said she was thankful someone was looking out for her.
Tip: If you’re swimming in the ocean, you need to have someone with eyes on you in case you need help.
Another Rescue Story:
More than ten years ago in Laguna Beach, my daughter and husband were at the beach after the lifeguards were done for the day. They noticed two panicked people stuck in a rip tide. My daughter, a swimmer and lifeguard herself, charged into the ocean and got them to calm down and helped them. My husband joined her and they got the two people to shore. Walking back to the cottage we rented that summer, my daughter noticed a neighbor’s dog out in the street. She called the dog and brought him back to his owner.
P.S. No, it wasn’t THAT Jennifer Lopez, but she said it was her legal name.
What are your plans for the last week of summer?
Sunset at the beach.
I think you can say, you almost rescued Jennifer Lopez. You don’t have to clarify beyond that.
😅
Wow, very beautiful photos and video, Elizabeth! I’m glad that Jennifer is okay. The ocean is a powerful thing.
The waves and currents were much stronger than usual. I’m my husband was keeping an eye on her.
Good job, being there for that lady.
Thanks! It’s important to have someone looking out for you at the ocean.
Very true. Ocean currents can be very strong
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Beautiful photos EA, and so glad you all were there and ready to assist that lady. I do wonder what she has decided about the “new boyfriend” after that incident 😉
We wondered the same thing about the boyfriend. She wasn’t happy with him. She said she grew up in Santa Barbara and understood how swimming in the ocean works. She was surprised he went to sleep.
LOL! Maybe he’s from Arizona where you all don’t have any water 😉
That is a possibility! 😅
I’m glad your family was looking out for that young lady. The rip tides are no joke. I was saved by a good Samaritan in Oceanside when I was young, so truly how understand both scary that situation is and what a relief it is to be looked after.
I’m always on alert when my family is out swimming and I’m sitting on the sand. It’s not a smart idea to go swimming alone without lifeguards or anyone watching. Glad you had someone who saved you in Oceanside.
That looks like a rough surf! Glad you were looking out for this woman. It sounds as if she really appreciated it. Did you just say Jennifer Lopez? Now, if Ben were coming to lunch I would go!!
Ha! It was a rough surf. Normally it’s calm. My husband said it was much worse when you were out in it.
Yikes! Fast currents are terrifying and can sweep you away before you know it. Bless you for making sure she was safe…. but I have to say, I think she needs to dump that boyfriend.
😉
Thanks! We’re wondering if she dumped him that night!
That video was wonderful. We don’t have any special plans, but we are enjoying some music festivals on the weekends that run through October.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Music festivals sound like a fun outing for weekends.
Yes, every Friday and Saturday. The place does a phenomenal job with these free concerts.
That’s wonderful. I remember free concerts in Santa Barbara when my kids were younger. We’d have a picnic with our friends. I’ll have to ask them what happened to them.
They are fun.
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I think that “new boyfriend” may not last long! I’m really glad you guys were watching out for her!
LOL on her name! I don’t think I would want the same name as a famous person. Though it would be fun seeing the reactions of people. 🤣
We were wondering what it must be like to share a celebrity name. I don’t think that boyfriend will be around long!
You all are so great to be so aware of what others are doing and if they need help. What an incredible beach family!!
I’m laughing about “not that Jennifer Lopez” – you had me wondering, Elizabeth!
I think it’s common etiquette to look out for others. There are no lifeguards at this beach. Plus the waves and currents were so unusual. It’s easy when there’s only a few people on the beach.
Considering George Lucas, Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner have homes here, it’s not unreasonable to think it could have been the celebrity Jennifer Lopez! But this one was in her early 30s and naturally beautiful.