"People have died here plenty of times, so I definitely don't recommend anybody that doesn't know what they're doing to be out here, because they can die," said Orange County resident Andre Gonzalez.
"This is just something that happens a couple times a year, so it's really neat to see the force of nature, how powerful nature really is," said Tustin resident Dean Vassey. "These guys are brave out there."
Big waves have been hitting south-facing beaches since Sunday. Lifeguards rescued more than 200 people in Newport Beach alone Sunday.
The Los Angeles County Fire Dept. reported they were searching for a 29-year-old West Hollywood man who jumped off the Venice Pier about 3 a.m. Monday. Police continued to search for the man Monday.
A possible drowning was reported Sunday at Cabrillo Beach at 4:55 p.m. Sunday. Eight-foot waves were breaking on the beach.
"Lifeguards responded to reports of a body in the water that possibly washed ashore," said L.A. County Fire Inspector Matt Levesque. "By the time lifeguards got to him, the patient was in full (cardiac) arrest."
Levesque said paramedics took the man to a hospital.
The L.A. County Fire Dept. confirmed Monday the man had been sitting on a rock at the beach and was washed away by a large wave, and that he survived the incident.
A high-surf advisory was scheduled to be in effect through 3 p.m. Tuesday with sets in the 8-to-10 feet range.
City News Service contributed to this report.
