Surfer Rescued from Cliffs off UC Santa Barbara and Goleta Beach

Strong winter waves have again been more challenging than even veteran surfers expected. One was pinned into a crevasse this morning until help arrived.

The paddle board surfer who said his name was Stan, lost his board in the violent surf on his first ride.

Nearby, other surfers said the waves were very rough and at times, rogue waves, larger than the others appeared.

Stan said his leash broke and while he was trying to get to his board, the next big waves hit him. He ended up in an area where he could climb up the rocks for safety and flag down another surfer for help.

Santa Barbara County Firefighters, trained in water rescues, were called out.

The spot was between the Campus Point-parking lot 6 area and the far end of Goleta Beach County park.

At the time the waves were breaking up and over some of the rock walls there.

After his rescue, Stan said, “I was stuck on the cliff. I was too afraid to walk down and attempt it because I would slip and get washed up and get caught in it. It is no man’s land.”

A surfer and a firefighter were able to help him down and they walked on the sand even in the strong waves, to get back to a stair case nearby.

“I was thankful they were around. Otherwise I was going to have to wait for hours and low tide to try and walk out. And sit up on the cliff!” said Stan.

(more details and video will be added later)