Several surfers rescued in rough waves near Isla Vista

Wednesday morning’s wild waves must have made it feel like Christmas morning for surfers near UC Santa Barbara.

“Biggest I’ve ever seen, seriously, here,” UCSB student Alexandra Deane said. “The waves were huge. Like, never seen that before. And then I saw all of the surfers going to Sands.”

But those rough waves were a little too rough for some.

Santa Barbara County Fire rescued five surfers near UCSB’s Campus Point in about a two hour span Wednesday morning.

Four young adults and one 67-year-old man were rescued. None of them were transported to the hospital.

County Fire says these surfers were inexperienced and struggling to get back to shore.

“This is one of the highest tides we’ve had in a while,” said Mike Eliason of Santa Barbara County Fire. “And we hope that people are safe. If you’re not an experienced swimmer or surfer, please stay out of the water.”

Four of the surfers were taken ashore by jetski and rescue swimmers.

Another was trapped against the cliffs and had to be rescued by helicopter. He later walked away with just an ice pack around his hand.

Others made it look easy.

“The current was strong out there,” said surfer Rick Hayes, who was seen riding the waves with no trouble. “There were some big sets. I think anyone who broke their leash could’ve been [in need of rescue].”

Hayes hopes the high surf keeps coming back.

“Santa Barbara finally got some swell,” he said. “We really needed it. And hope we get more all winter.”