Stingray stings teen in warm water off Campus Point

A stingray in the warm water off of Campus Point stung a 13-year-old Junior Lifeguard on Tuesday by the University of California, Santa Barbara.

“Oh gosh, I was in so much pain it hurt so bad, ” said Jacob Wilson.

The teen who wants to be a doctor someday used a scale the describe the pain.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, it was 8.”

He had been practicing a rescue when he felt the sting in his right foot.

“I was running in the water, and I stepped on something, and two seconds later it became numb.”

Dr. Brett Wilson is not related to the young patient but said he had seen an increase of what he calls stingray envenomations this summer.

Doctors recommend hot water on the injured area.

“If things get worse, then you should see your doctor,” said Dr. Wilson.

If a spine or sheath from the stinger is left in the wound, a doctor may have to remove it.

UCSB Surf and Kayak Camp director Mike Reeves said stingrays like hot water.

Reeves says the water has been much warmer than usual.

Students are still signing up for the final camp session that begins next week. One of the first things they will learn is to shuffle their feet.

If you shuffle rather than stomping your feet in the ocean, Reeves said the stingrays are more likely to swim away. If you stomp, they are more likely to sting.

Wilson says he is not afraid and plans to go back in the water as soon as his bandages come off.