Search Suspended for Missing Santa Cruz Surfers

Coast Guard ends 10-hour search after finding no signs of the two surfers

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Coast Guard has suspended its search for two surfers who went missing off Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, California. The search lasted over 10 hours and covered 90 miles, but was called off due to challenging ocean conditions, including 10-15 foot swells, strong currents, and poor visibility - factors that make surf zone rescues extremely complex. Authorities cited concerns over the surfers' survivability in the cold water as a key reason for ending the search.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing challenges faced by search and rescue teams responding to emergencies in the surf zone. As the popularity of big wave surfing increases, surfers are venturing into more remote and dangerous areas, putting a greater burden on local authorities to develop specialized training and equipment to handle these high-risk situations.

The details

The two surfers were reported missing on Friday afternoon after they failed to return from a session at Steamer Lane. The Coast Guard deployed boats and helicopters to search the area, but were forced to suspend operations after more than 10 hours due to the treacherous ocean conditions. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Zapawa stated the decision was made after a 'careful evaluation of all available information, including extensive search efforts, environmental conditions, and survivability assessments'.

  • The surfers were reported missing on Friday afternoon.
  • The Coast Guard search lasted over 10 hours on Friday.

The players

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco

The local branch of the U.S. Coast Guard responsible for search and rescue operations in the Santa Cruz area.

Michael Zapawa

Chief Warrant Officer 4 with the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, who commented on the decision to suspend the search.

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What they’re saying

“The decision to suspend the search was not taken lightly, and was based on a careful evaluation of all available information, including extensive search efforts, environmental conditions, and survivability assessments.”

— Michael Zapawa, Chief Warrant Officer 4 (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The Coast Guard is continuing to investigate the incident and urges anyone with information about the missing surfers to contact their command center.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the inherent dangers of surfing, even at popular spots like Steamer Lane. It serves as a reminder for all surfers to take proper safety precautions, such as surfing with a partner, checking conditions, and carrying emergency communication devices, in order to minimize the risk of such devastating outcomes.