Sneaker Wave in Monterey Claims the Lives of Father and 5-yr-old Daughter
- William
- Nov 16
- 3 min read
A father and his five-year-old daughter drowned on Friday after the girl was swept into the sea by a powerful sneaker wave in Monterey County, California. Heartbreakingly, Tide School had posted a sea-safety video about this exact hazard less than 24 hours earlier, explaining how a steep beach combined with powerful swell can create these sudden, violent surges.
It is devastating to see, once again, how a single wave can turn an ordinary day at the beach into a life-changing tragedy.
According to official reports, the incident happened just before 12:50 p.m. on Friday 14 November at Garrapata State Park, along Highway 1. A powerful wave — part of a large, long-period swell with surf estimated between 15 and 20 feet — surged up the shore and swept the five-year-old girl into the Pacific.
Her father entered the water to try to rescue her, but his attempt was unsuccessful.
A multi-agency emergency response was launched, involving California State Parks, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The father was recovered and transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The girl remains missing.
The girl’s mother was also pulled into the water but managed to reach shore and was treated for mild hypothermia. A two-year-old sibling at the scene was unharmed.
This tragedy is a heartbreaking example of the danger we explain clearly in our Surging Waves video (below). When a steeply sloping beach meets a powerful long-period swell, it creates a deadly mix. People often walk close to the waterline because the sea looks calm and harmless. But on a steep beach, a single sneaker wave can surge much farther and much faster than expected.
When that surge races up the slope, it knocks people off their feet, sweeping them into deeper water within seconds. The sudden shock of being pulled off balance, combined with the speed of the water, triggers instant panic — and panic removes your ability to think or swim effectively.
Once out of their depth, people find themselves fighting both the energy of the returning surge and their own panic. It is this combination — panic plus the power of the sea — that so often leads to drowning. This is why understanding shoreline geometry and swell behaviour is so important. It gives people the awareness to stay well back from the danger zone, even when the ocean appears calm.
Develop your Sea Sense with the Sea Swim Manual — how to read waves, tides, and coastal hazards.
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3 Key Lessons from Monterey
This tragic incident on the Monterey coast highlights three essential lessons for anyone spending time near powerful shorelines: first, that sneaker waves strike when the sea looks calm; second, that standing close to the water’s edge during a swell event is far more dangerous than it appears; and third, that self-rescue in surging conditions is extremely difficult, even for strong and capable adults.
1️⃣ Sneaker waves strike when the sea looks calm
Sneaker waves often appear on days when the shoreline seems peaceful. There can be no wind, no whitewater, and long gaps between sets. But beneath the surface, long-period swells travel with enormous energy. When one finally reaches the beach, it surges far higher than the waves before it. This is why people are swept off their feet without warning. The lesson is simple: never trust a quiet shoreline when there’s long-period groundswell.
2️⃣ Never stand close to the water during a swell event
On days with large swell — especially when official agencies issue a Beach Hazard Warning — people must keep well back from the water’s edge. Even dry sand isn’t safe. The safest place to stand is high above the highest wet mark on the beach. If you are exploring exposed Pacific coastlines, it is essential to check swell height, swell period, and tide levels before going near the shore.
3️⃣ Self-rescue in surging conditions is extremely difficult
When someone is swept in by a surging wave, the instinct is to enter the water to help — but this can double the tragedy. These waves are driven by powerful currents, strong backwash, and unstable footing. Calling emergency services immediately, throwing a float, or using a long object to extend reach is far safer than entering the water. This tragedy shows how quickly conditions can overwhelm even the strongest and most willing rescuers.
If you love spending time by the ocean and want to understand it better, join a Tide School Masterclass. Sessions are available for individuals, families or groups - helping you safely enjoy the sea with confidence.
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