Large surf injured two people in separate incidents over the weekend.
At Big Beach in Makena, a 27-year-old male visitor was bodyboarding when he was injured by large shore break shortly before 12:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Assistant Fire Chief Val Martin. Lifeguards, who had cautioned the man about the large shore break before he went out, witnessed the beachgoer go from the top of the 8-foot-face wave to the bottom, injuring his lower back.
The man was unable to get out of the water without assistance from lifeguards, who took spinal precautions and transported the man to a waiting ambulance. Martin said the man was “very apologetic and now realizes the danger when large shore breaks are present.”
A larger than normal swell from the south was evident on Saturday, Martin said.
Just before 11:30 a.m. Sunday, a 6-year-old female was swimming in Kaupo when she was rolled around by large surf and hit her head. A family member grabbed her from the ocean. Firefighters from Kula arrived on scene and assessed the child. Taking spinal precautions, they carried her to the roadway to be transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Martin said the child was alert and oriented.