Ventura firefighters responded to a report of a distressed swimmer on the north side of the pier at 7:26 p.m. Firefighters found the man in severe distress and struggling to stay above water, according to the Ventura Fire Dept.
A rescue swimmer jumped into the water from the pier and clipped the victim to a rescue buoy. He was weak, exhausted, very cold and unable to assist in his rescue, according to the department. The victim was then loaded onto a harbor patrol boat.
He was treated on shore by paramedics for exhaustion and possible hypothermia. The victim was hospitalized at Ventura County Medical Center.
The victim said he started to swim to the end of the pier on a dare from friends.
