Surfers report a surge in jellyfish at Surfrider Beach while rising water temperatures bring more stingrays to the shallow surf.
Surfers and swimmers are facing a dual threat at the shoreline this week as stinging jellyfish and buried stingrays trigger separate warnings from local safety officials.
The City of Malibu issued a “heads up” to the community following reports of several surfers being stung at Surfrider Beach. While these jellyfish are typically non-lethal, their stings can cause rashes, fever, and muscle cramps. LA County Fire Department lifeguards are warning beachgoers that the danger isn’t just in the water; detached tentacles washed up on the sand remain active and can still deliver a painful sting if touched or stepped on.
If a sting occurs, the primary directive is to rinse the area with ocean water. Officials warn that using fresh water or rubbing the skin can actually trigger more stinging cells and increase the pain. Anyone who gets stung should check with the lifeguards for proper first aid.
The City of Malibu’s post also advised, “If you’re at a beach without Lifeguards on duty and you get stung, remove tentacles from skin. DO NOT wash with fresh water. Instead, go straight to the nearest lifeguard, who will treat the sting with a solution of saline and vinegar to kill the stinging cells and relieve the pain. Any signs of a severe allergic reaction (shortness of breath, hives, wheezing, etc.) warrant immediate medical attention. Call 911 for severe reactions like difficulty breathing.”
In a separate alert, the LA County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division noted that stingray incidents are also on the rise as ocean temperatures climb. Because stingrays camouflage themselves just beneath the sand in shallow water, they are easily stepped on by unsuspecting swimmers. To avoid an encounter, lifeguards advocate for the “stingray shuffle”—sliding your feet along the floor to alert the rays and give them a chance to move away.
Safety officials for both the city and the county recommend swimming near an open tower and consulting with lifeguards on current hazards before entering the surf.
