Surfer Rescued Clinging to Lobster Trap Buoy Off Goleta Coast

A 26-year-old surfer was rescued unharmed after being swept out to sea during a night surfing session at Haskell's Beach in Goleta, California, where he clung to a lobster trap buoy for support until help arrived.

The incident occurred on February 6, 2026, around 6:30 p.m., when the man and a friend entered the water amid high surf conditions. According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the surfer lost his board to the powerful waves and was carried offshore. His board washed up on the beach shortly after, prompting his friend to alert authorities immediately by calling 911. Rescue teams arrived at the scene by 6:28 p.m. and launched a search operation.

Fire department officials deployed aerial drones equipped with infrared cameras to scan the darkening ocean waters. Within a short time, they located the man approximately a quarter-mile offshore, holding onto the buoy of a lobster trap to keep himself afloat and prevent further drift. Two water rescue swimmers from the department then reached him, pulled him from the water, and brought him safely back to shore. The surfer required no medical attention and was released at the scene.

Video footage released by the fire...