2 stranded swimmers rescued near Newport’s Wedge

Officials rescued two stranded swimmers near the Wedge in Newport Beach Wednesday where the largest waves seen in the past decade were expected.

Waves up to 25 feet struck the beach on the second day of a four-day high surf advisory for Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties beaches that was expected to end at 6 p.m. Friday.

Two swimmers became stranded in waters north of the Wedge around 7:45 a.m. after they likely were swept out by a rip tide, according to Newport Beach Fire Department officials. The swimmers were rescued, and their conditions were not immediately known.

“The Wedge is world famous for its size and its danger, but really everywhere up and down the coast is going to be dangerous for the next couple days,” fire department Capt. Mike Halphide said.

Strong rip currents were among the reasons swimmers and surfers should avoid the water, Halphide said.

“We’re really warning everyone coming down, whether you’re a beginner or an expert, to really think twice and talk to a lifeguard before you go in because of the conditions will just be so hazardous,” he said.

All swimmers were advised to stay out of the ocean, but if caught in a rip current swimmers were advised to swim parallel to the shore until free of the current, then swim back to the beach and exit the water, according to the National Weather Service.

The unusually large waves attracted several thousand spectators to the Wedge as of 7:30 a.m., according to Newport Beach police.