Another drowning at Monastery beach in Carmel

RIP!  Got my PADI certify dive there back in 85.  Haven't return there since!

Maybe they were planning to buy the wood for a new Lifeguard tower from Orchard Supply...haha #overpriced

6 figure lifeguard salaries are not that unusual in Southern California.

Chief Lifeguard in LA makes over $211,000

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/02/countdown-lifeguard-salaries-six-figures/#&panel1-1

LA County Lifeguards are part of LA County Fire Dept. Essentially the Chief Lifeguard is a Fire Dept Division chief running a 750 man battalion. far cry from a tower guard.  Seasonal guards make $16-20hr and are 2/3 the force, Full time tower guards up to $27, Its the upper level guys that make the big$$ but they are few in number

Please be very careful if you visit Monastery beach in Carmel. I think this is the 18th person in the last 20yrs to drown there.
http://www.montereyherald.com/general-news/20150302/woman-drowns-at-monastery-beach-bystanders-pull-her-out
http://www.montereyherald.com/general-news/20150303/update-beachgoers-react-to-most-recent-death-at-monastery-beach-in-carmel

Here's some helpful info about rip currents: http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/

Yeah.
Unfortunately 1 of those 18 was a good friend of mine. He and another friend were heading out to dive the trench when he turned back and never made it back to shore.  CG found him dead in 15 ft. of water. He had a medical issue though. Sad news .

Yeah.
Unfortunately 1 of those 18 was a good friend of mine. He and another friend were heading out to dive the trench when he turned back and never made it back to shore.  CG found him dead in 15 ft. of water. He had a medical issue though. Sad news .
[/quote]     

    Was that around 2002 ?     I was there when a search was going on.   
  The guys dive buddy was sitting on the tailgate, shoulders slumped.         

   There's a lot of close calls we never hear about.    I have first hand experience with two events there that could have easily resulted in deaths.

What if they put a number counter for the #'s of deaths @ that beach...  Looking at pics I googled, I can see why people venture there.

Such a tragedy. There are plenty of signs to warn people but people who don't know the ocean don't get it. There have been a number of dogs who have drowned there too. Worst steep shore breaks in NCAL
1. Monestary
2. Limekiln

The funny thing is that I have told people the surf is dangerous especially for
Kids and dogs, and 100% of the time they blew me off.

not a bad idea.  I always took note when i drove past this one on my way to Kernville and Lake Izzy.

But at the construction rates the state is prolly paying, may be cheaper to get the two lifeguards!!

I lost my diving partner, Sarah Bunnag at that beach.   She went another partner and he left her to enter by herself.  She never even made it out past the breakers.  Terrible tragedy and a loss of a wonderful person.  Every time I drive by there, or fish close to it, my heart aches. 

retrieved 250K fig from his cloaca

Kudos for being the first to use the word "cloaca" on NCKA!

I lost my diving partner, Sarah Bunnag at that beach.   She went another partner and he left her to enter by herself.  She never even made it out past the breakers.  Terrible tragedy and a loss of a wonderful person.  Every time I drive by there, or fish close to it, my heart aches.

That's totally was a major bummer. Why did the other guy leave her ? No reason is good thought. Was the other guy just trying to save himself ?
I had my go in there at the rip age of sixteen. Wrong location to come in at in full scuba gear. Completely not experienced enough, only 2nd dive out of just being certified back in December. Our group of four divers and thank havens two in the group were strong 24 year old's. At sixteen I was only 140 pounds, strong, but only 140 pounds. When we all went out, yep all nice and clam  walked in and finned up and swam out to dive the wash rock north end of beach. 50 minute bottom time, tide had changed and the surf was 10 to 12 foot fast vertical raising beakers on the beach. The two older guys went in together on top of a large wave and landed high and dry on the beach. That was the plan. Lisa and I were to wait out of the surf zone until Alex and Wayne made it in. Alex and Wayne now out of gear were coaching, timing us and when they yelled come on, I told Lisa to go for it and she caught a nice wave in and landed high and dry as well. Now it was my turn right, well Wayne and Alex were still getting Lisa out of gear but the wave coming on looked to be the same as the wave everyone else took so kick, kick, kick I went. Wrong wave ! Landed low and at the bottom of the beach trough. Why are Wayne and Alex running towards me with golf ball sized eyes and then i knew. Thank lord all mighty I had my regulator in my mouth as the mass plastered me. My mask was instantly blown off, berry's in eyes and the vertigo did not end until I realized Wayne and Alex had me by a arm each after they pulled me to the top of the beach. Labor day weekend Sept, 1974.

Truly sorry for you loss of diving partner Sarah and condolences to the recently departed Monastery Beach victims family and loved ones.