Woman Rescued from Treacherous San Francisco Cliff

Maxime Rancourt shares her harrowing survival story after being swept away by strong currents at Kelly's Cove

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:33pm by Ben Kaplan

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A woman named Maxime Rancourt was rescued from the side of a cliff in San Francisco's Kelly's Cove after being pulled out to sea by a powerful current while taking a cold plunge. Rancourt clung to the rocks for over 30 minutes before a bystander spotted her and called 911, leading to a dramatic rescue by the San Francisco Fire Department's coastal rescue team.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of swimming in areas with strong currents and unpredictable surf, even for experienced swimmers. It also showcases the critical role of first responders in conducting daring cliff rescues to save lives along San Francisco's rugged coastline.

The details

Rancourt said she was just going for a quick cold plunge in the water at Kelly's Cove, a beach known for its treacherous conditions, when a violent current suddenly pulled her out deeper. Unable to swim back to shore, she found herself stuck clinging to the side of the cliff, her body scraping against the rocks for over 30 minutes as she desperately tried to hold on. A bystander eventually spotted her and called 911, leading to a rescue by the San Francisco Fire Department's coastal rescue team.

  • Rancourt was pulled out to sea around 3:30 pm on March 29, 2026.
  • The bystander spotted Rancourt and called 911 approximately 30 minutes later.
  • The San Francisco Fire Department arrived on the scene and rescued Rancourt shortly after the 911 call.

The players

Maxime Rancourt

A woman who was rescued from the side of a cliff in San Francisco after being swept out to sea by a strong current while taking a cold plunge.

San Francisco Fire Department

The coastal rescue team that responded to the 911 call and successfully rescued Rancourt from the treacherous cliff.

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What they’re saying

“I was just going to go in the water a little bit. To have a cold plunge. Which I did for a moment. I was looking at the waves and said they are so beautiful. I'm a good swimmer but I don't usually swim there.”

— Maxime Rancourt

“He saw me and he said, 'Hey!' I didn't have my glasses, and I could see a little bit, and he was trying to come closer, and he went down a little bit and was asking me if I was okay.”

— Maxime Rancourt

“I want to say- thank you so much. Because I now have a future because of this person. I thought about it. My destiny was gone in one minute.”

— Maxime Rancourt

What’s next

Rancourt plans to visit the San Francisco Fire Department's rescue team to personally thank them for saving her life.

The takeaway

This dramatic rescue serves as a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of the ocean, even in popular swimming spots. It highlights the importance of exercising caution, being aware of local conditions, and the critical role of first responders in saving lives along San Francisco's rugged coastline.