On Saturday, March 26, 2022, Sara Rademaker and her twin boys were visiting the Mendocino County coast. As they hiked towards the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse the tide pools of the shore called the boys to the water’s edge. The pair laughed and smiled as they played in the tide pools and, then, in mere moments, the family outing would become a nightmare. Rademaker watched her son Robert become enveloped by a wave, dragging him into the turbulent waters. The boy’s survival instincts kicked in as he was trashed about and was able to cling onto a rock until help came.
Rademaker and her boys were on the Mendocino County coast this last weekend visiting a family friend who owns property in Fort Bragg. On Saturday, they decided to visit the Point Cabrillo lighthouse.
As the trio hiked to the historical landmark, Rademaker said her boys saw the rocks and tidepools on the water’s edge and asked to go play. She obliged and the boys explored amongst the rocks enjoying the seafoam splashing on them.
Rademaker said she told the boys “Don’t get too close” over and over again.
Moments later, Rademaker learned that Mother Nature does not heed a mother’s warning. She told us one minute she was watching her boys play on the seaside, the next thing she knew her son Robert “was just gone.”
In a video Rademaker was taking the moment the wave grabbed Robert and pulled him into the frigid waters, the twins can be seen, laughing and smiling, and suddenly a swell of seawater surges inside the rocks the twins stood between. One remains on his feet; Robert is knocked over by the force and can be seen attempting to hold onto the rocks as the water recedes. At that point, the recording ends.
Rademaker said she felt more helpless than she has ever felt as she watched Robert get sucked under the water. She stood on the shore screaming, Robert’s brother did the same. As they screamed, Rademaker watched the power of the water and knew “there was not a dang thing I could do.”
Then, something miraculous happened. Rademaker watched as Robert was tumbled about by the waves, kicking his feet to propel him towards a rock nearby, and suddenly a wave picked him up placing him on top of a rock jutting out of the roiling surf.
Robert clung to the boulder, and his mother watched as waves continued to crash down on the rock her boy was able to hold on tight.
In the midst of the chaos, Rademaker made a call to 911 hoping for help.
As she watched her son grip the rock, two lifeguards for California State Parks arrived on the scene. She watched as one of them waited for a window in which the waves would recede, swam across the channel between the shore and the rock, and placed a ring buoy around Robert’s waist. The lifeguard then waited for the waves to recede, and returned Robert ashore.
Paulo Andrade has worked for the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department for seven years and also serves as a lifeguard for the California State Parks. In his time, Andrade said he has responded to many calls like Sara and Robert’s, and many of those calls did not have “happy endings.”
That day, Andrade deployed to the calls for help regarding a child stuck on a rock. He hurried to the scene, eschewing his wetsuit, knowing time was of the essence.
When he arrived, he saw Robert clinging onto the rock, made his way into the water, wrapped him in the flotation device, and floated him back to safety.
In the tradition of the humble first responder, Andrade told us that “the kid pretty much saved himself.” He explained that when he arrived Robert was clinging onto the rock in a manner in which his body was perpendicular to the oncoming waves. This position minimized the surface area of Robert’s body that was slammed by each wave, Andrade explained, allowing the water to flow over him. If he had laid “broadside”, Robert have been much more likely to be thrown from the rock back into the water or against other rocks alongshore.
Despite the happy ending, Rademaker looked back on the incident and said simply, “I have never felt so helpless in my entire life.” She doubted her risk-assessment abilities saying, “I thought they were safe. I normally don’t ever let them get that close.”
The power of the ocean sucked Robert’s shoes off his feet. As Robert clung to the rock and the waves pounded his body, his bare feet scraped against purple sea urchins puncturing his toe. Aside from these wounds, his bruises were surprisingly minimal, Rademaker said.
Rademaker attributed Robert’s survival to his strong swimming skills and the fast action of the lifeguards who seemingly jumped into action as fast as Robert was swept to sea.
Sara and her boys are back home in Woodland. She said he had his first day back at school since Spring Break yesterday where his teachers had heard about the incident giving him high fives and attaboys. Despite the praise, Robert told his mother, “I don’t ever want to see the ocean again.”
Like her son, Rademaker has had a hard time coping with the trauma of that day: “I can’t get his screams out of my head.”
Tyler Grinberg, the Public Information Officer for Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department, told us his agency was dispatched to the incident but State Parks lifeguards were first to the scene and saved the boy before his agency deployed. Looking at what happened that day, Grinder said, “Mendocino Fire is glad that a major tragedy was avoided. This is a reminder that awareness of ocean safety is paramount and it is our responsibility to share our knowledge with those visiting our beautiful coastline.”
Grinberg praised Andrade for his actions that day saying, “Mendocino Fire is appreciative of the expediency of State Park Lifeguard, and MVFD firefighter, Paulo Andrade.”
Andrade offered some practical wisdom when assessing the risk of the shoreline, “If the rocks look wet, stand farther back, a bigger set might come and might take you out.”
Early last year at least six tragic deaths occurred after beach-goers were swept into the Pacific Ocean:
- A Southern California educator, David Reyes Juarez, was swept into the waves of the Mendocino Headlands and died on January 2, 2021.
- Utah woman Mary Malouf was swept off the North Jetty of Humboldt Bay on December 7, 2020, later succumbing to her injuries.
- In Sonoma County, on January 5, 2021 a father drowned attempting to rescue his two young children when all three were swept out to sea.
- 12-year-old Arunay Pruthi was swept into the sea at Cowell Ranch State Beach in San Mateo County on January 18, 2021
Considering the real risks of the coastline, we want to leave readers with this list of tips for water safety sent to us by the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department after David Reyes Juarez perished in the Pacific. The risks are real and some simple protocols can save lives.
5 Tips for Enjoying the Water Safely
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE TIDE AND IDENTIFY RIP CURRENTS
This is especially true at the river mouth where the river and ocean meet. We have seen people of all ages struggle against tidal forces which can drag people from the protected river out to the ocean. This is even more pertinent to parents with children who are playing on inflatable devices. Look around rocks and see which direction the water is moving before entering. Keep in mind that this can change so keep reevaluating.
HAVE A BUDDY
Enjoying the water with a friend is always a good idea. You can look out for one another and call for help if an emergency presents itself.
USE FLOATATION DEVICES
The largest limiting factor for first responders is time. Although it will be a scary experience losing control, keeping one’s head above water gives first responders adequate time to respond if a rescue situation presents itself. Make your way out of the water if possible to prevent hypothermia.
TAKE A DAY OFF AND KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Watch the water for an extended period of time before entering. If you have any doubts as to whether or not it is a safe day to enjoy time in the water then try again later. It’s better to change your plans for one day than potentially risking your life.
LEARN TO SWIM
Everyone can improve their skills as a swimmer. Being a competent swimmer will help one remain calm when experiencing an unexpected situation in the water.
5 Tips on Dry Land
KEEP AN EYE ON THE OCEAN AT ALL TIMES
Whether one is looking at a sea star, posing for a picture, or looking back at town the risk for sneaker waves is always a possibility. Have someone who can give a warning to retreat to higher land and know that even a small swell is no reason to let one’s guard down.
BE A SAFE BYSTANDER
If you witness a cliff/surf rescue, first get yourself to a safe location and then call 911. Don’t become an additional victim that will strain first responders and potentially place them at further risk. Take a deep breath, try to stay calm, and look for landmarks to give to the dispatcher. Keep your eyes on the victim at all times.
BE AWARE OF CRUMBLING SURFACES
The Mendocino coastline features sandstone as a prominent rock-type. Overtime, rock surfaces can become less secure and footing that previously was reliable may change.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Although the rocky coast provides for prevalent tidepools that can’t be found on other coastlines, exploring these hotspots of wildlife is not for everyone. Slippery rocks covered in algae can lead to traumatic injuries and an unfortunate tumble into the water.
IF YOU FALL IN THE WATER, STAY CALM
Struggling upon falling in the water will only lead to exhaustion and may not increase the chances of survival. Don’t fight the waves but rather work with the ocean to make your way to a safer location. Swimming parallel towards the shore (towards the breaking waves) and letting the waves move you towards protected rocks will give you an opportunity to get out of the water and regain your strength. Getting to higher ground, even if it isn’t on the main shore, will give time for first responders to come help.
Previous Coverage
Every year people get too close to the surf on the rocks despite signs warning not too. This was a very fortunate outcome for this youngster and his parents, very lucky indeed. I watched a group of 4 men, carpenters taking their lunch break from a job , get washed out into the ocean and the coast guard helicopter rescued them. That was during the restoration of the old Bank of America building in Mendocino in 1977.They were all very lucky that the coast guard got there so quickly, before cell phones!