Killed body surfer is identified

A man who died after a large set of waves slammed him into the rocky jetty at Newport’s world-famous body surfing spot the Wedge on Friday has been identified as a 50-year-old Lawndale resident.

Monte Valentin was apparently body surfing at the Wedge about noon on Friday when he got pinned in by the rocks after a large set of waves, some up to 25 feet high, said Jennifer Schulz, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Fire Department.

Lifeguards pulled the body surfer onto a boat and gave him CPR. Paramedics took the man to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where he was pronounced dead.

Waves as high as 20 feet were still pummeling local beaches on Saturday, and lifeguards had made more than 40 rescues by Saturday afternoon.

Newport Beach Lifeguards rescued 381 people on Friday alone after large waves from a large southern swell hit local waters, Schulz said.

“That has to be close to a record,” she said.

Lifeguards rescued five people Friday in Newport Harbor, where it’s rare for swimmers to get into trouble, Schulz said. The surf slamming in to Newport Beach this weekend has created a rip current in Newport Harbor.

The large waves also have the bottom at local beaches uneven in some places. Lifeguards are advising swimmers not to dive into the water, because there may be unexpected shallow or deep patches of water.