San Diego lifeguards are having a record year when it comes to performing rescues, already surpassing the annual total of the previous record year, according to Fire Rescue Department officials.
So far in 2016, lifeguards have made 8,628 rescues, breaking the old record set in 1993 of 7,446, SDFRD spokesman Lee Swanson said.
Over the previous 10 years, lifeguards have averaged 1,067 water rescues in June, 1,807 in the traditionally busiest month of July and 818 in August.
This year, those numbers increased significantly with 1,707 rescues in June, an "astounding" 4,102 rescues in July and 1,279 in August.
"Every member of this division pulled together and worked as a team to keep our coast safe," Lifeguard Chief Rick Wurts said. "They are an outstanding group of professionals."
The largest reason for the increased number of rescues may be the extended period of warm ocean temperatures, which drew more beachgoers to the water, Swanson said.
