Going to the Beach? Beware of Sneaker Waves
Waves crash on the rocks at Christmas Cove Beach in Laguna on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, as lifeguards were kept busy warning people that they could not go into the dangerous surf. (Mindy Schauer/MediaNewsGroup/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
Headed to the beach? Keep a watchful eye on the ocean for sneaker waves. They’re sudden, far-reaching waves that are notorious for catching beachgoers off-guard. Videos of Californians being swept away have gone viral, including a recent incident in Santa Cruz where a lifeguard saved a 10-year old from drowning.
KQED’s Sarah Wright explains what sneaker waves are, why they’re dangerous, and how to stay safe while still enjoying the ocean.
Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, San Francisco-Northern California Local.