Full Breakdown
Pacifica Fisherwoman Survives Sneaker Wave, Prompting Alerts
6/23/2026, 2:22:31 AM
Pacifica Fisherwoman Swept by a Sneaker Wave
On Tuesday, Bae Cadotte, a 47-year-old Pacifica resident, was fishing south of Pacifica Pier when an unexpected sneaker wave struck. The wave knocked her off her feet, dragged her 30 feet offshore, and held her underwater for minutes before she resurfaced. Nearby anglers threw a rope to pull her ashore, and first responders took her to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, where she was treated for hypothermia and “ocean whiplash.” She is now recovering at home.
Sneaker Waves: Definition and Recent Incidents
Sneaker waves are large coastal waves that can surge far up a beach without warning, even on calm days. They are common along steep drop-offs such as the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. In the past week, a mother-daughter pair was rescued at Baker Beach, two Bay Area college students died at Santa Cruz, and a 5-year-old child, Amada Mia Brown, was found dead after a rogue wave in Laguna Beach.
Frequency and Recent Toll
Researchers estimate that roughly three of every 10,000 waves qualify as rogue or sneaker waves. The recent incidents in the Bay Area and Southern California have resulted in at least three rescues and three confirmed deaths within a single week.
Cadotte’s On-the-Ground Account
Cadotte said the wave arrived “without warning” and “felt like I was tumbling in a washing machine.” She chose not to fight the surge, instead closing her eyes, praying, and allowing the water to carry her. After several minutes she resurfaced, thanked the anglers who threw a rope, and later expressed gratitude to the rescuers.
Official Responses
A beach-hazard statement covering much of the Bay Area warned of large swells and sneaker-wave risk, and the San Francisco Fire Department urged beachgoers to stay alert and avoid turning their backs on the ocean. Emergency crews responded quickly, providing medical care for hypothermia and coordinating the rescue.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources confirm Cadotte’s rescue, but they differ on the number and details of other recent incidents: one cites a mother-daughter rescue at Baker Beach, another notes two college student deaths in Santa Cruz, and a third adds a child fatality in Laguna Beach. No wave-height or tide data are provided, leaving a gap in the meteorological context.
Quotes
- “It felt like I was tumbling in a washing machine.” — Bae Cadotte
- “It just swallowed me.” — Bae Cadotte
- “I closed my eyes, I said a prayer—God, if this is your will, I understand, but please don’t let me leave my son.” — Bae Cadotte
- “Never turn your back on the ocean.” — San Francisco Fire Department, Social Media Post
Upcoming Alerts
Beach-hazard statements remain active across the Bay Area for the upcoming surf forecast, and officials plan periodic updates on wave conditions while urging beachgoers to heed warnings. Community groups are expected to expand outreach on sneaker-wave safety during the summer beach season.
