Surfer Rescued After Being Swept Out to Sea in Santa Barbara

Drone footage helped locate the 26-year-old man clinging to a lobster trap buoy a quarter mile from shore.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A 26-year-old surfer had to be rescued after getting swept out to sea off the coast of Santa Barbara County on Saturday. The man was surfing with a friend at Haskell's Beach in Goleta around 6:30 p.m. when he lost his board and was pulled into deeper waters by high surf. His friend reported him missing immediately, and rescue crews deployed aerial drones equipped with infrared cameras to scan the ocean. They found him about a quarter mile from the beach clinging to a lobster trap buoy, and rescue swimmers were able to safely escort him back to shore.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of surfing alone, especially in rough ocean conditions. The successful rescue was made possible by the quick response and use of advanced drone technology to locate the missing surfer.

The details

According to the county fire department, the surfer was with a friend when he lost his board and was pulled out to sea by the strong currents. His friend immediately reported him missing, prompting the rescue operation. Rescue crews used aerial drones with infrared cameras to scan the ocean and eventually located the man clinging to a lobster trap buoy about a quarter mile from the beach. Rescue swimmers were then able to reach him and bring him safely back to shore.

  • The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2026.
  • Rescue crews first found the surfer's board washed up on the beach.

The players

Santa Barbara County Fire Department

The local fire department that coordinated the rescue operation and deployed the aerial drones to locate the missing surfer.

The 26-year-old surfer

The man who was swept out to sea while surfing with a friend at Haskell's Beach in Goleta, California.

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What they’re saying

“Never go into the ocean alone, especially in rough conditions.”

— Santa Barbara County Fire Department (newsnationnow.com)

What’s next

The fire department is expected to provide more details on the rescue operation and any safety recommendations for local beachgoers.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of exercising caution and never surfing alone, especially in areas with strong currents and high surf. The successful rescue highlights the value of advanced technology like drones in aiding emergency response efforts.