“What the hell were they thinking?!” If you existed on social media at all over the last few days, chances are you uttered these words.
On Saturday, a couple on a rented jetski found themselves between a jetty of rocks and a hard place – that is, macking waves – at the Wedge in Newport Beach. The ski washed up on the rocks, and local lifeguards performed a harrowing rescue. It was a nail-biting affair for all watching.
Against all odds, the couple made it out unscathed, and so did everyone involved in the rescue.
But, what would possess someone on a rental jetski to get up close and personal with one of Southern California’s most dangerous waves?
According to Brent Jacobsen, Newport Beach Lifeguard Batallion Chief, the couple had rented the jetski and were disoriented attempting to make it back to the harbor. They turned too early and ended up in a dangerous situation – trying to outrun a massive set wave.
“It looks like from the video they fell off their watercraft before impact, and before it was washed up on the rocks,” said Jacobsen. “They were rescued by a few off-duty lifeguards that were bodysurfing and on-duty lifeguards. And they were transported to Hoag Hospital with nonthreatening injuries.”
It’s really a feat that no one was injured in this horrific catastrophe. It’s also amazing it doesn’t happen more often. There are only a few companies that rent out jetskis along Balboa Peninsula – the piece of land that terminates at the jetty that forms the wedge. We called a few of them for comment. Boat Rentals of America was quick to sell out their competitor, confirming the couple rented their jetski from Balboa Water Sports. Balboa Water Sports refused to comment.
All of these companies rent from within the Newport Harbor, a protected and waveless body of water. But, the harbor enforces a “no wake”/5 mph speed limit throughout. In other words, if you’re a tourist coming to Newport Beach to rent a jetski for a quick thrill, you’d have to go outside of the harbor to the breakwater and open ocean to go any faster than putt-putt speed.
Going from open water to the safety of the harbor, it’s not inconceivable someone might turn too early. Photo: Google Maps
To think that one couple was unfamiliar with local geography and turned too early and too sharply, ending up in harm’s way is perhaps too easy. I’ll admit, I was quick to blame the couple when I saw the video. “How could you not know you were putting yourself in a dangerous situation?” I aaked. But maybe I jumped to conclusions too quickly.
For anyone hoping to take a jetski from inside Newport Harbor out to the open ocean to see what kind of horsepower the thing has, there is literally a 50/50 chance they’ll pass the Wedge. Turn left, they’re headed toward Corona del Mar. Head right, on a big day you’re looking at the back side of warping, warbly monsters. So maybe the real question is: Who in their right mind would put an inexperienced tourist who may not know the area on a jetski given those odds?
For now, the only thing it cost the rental company was the price of a used jetski (about $5 to $18 grand), but next time? Who knows.
