SAN DIEGO - Scuba enthusiasts are urged to take extra precautions in the waters off La Jolla Shores today following a report of a strong underwater current that pulled about a half-dozen divers into deep water and made it difficult for them to surface.
The group of divers reported getting caught in the undertow while roughly 30 feet underwater about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, San Diego lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum said.
They said the phenomenon lasted about 10 minutes and rapidly pulled them 30-50 feet deeper. Several described hanging on to the edge of a deep underwater canyon in the area to keep from being dragged farther down.
The divers eventually surfaced, feeling the grip of the current lessen as they reached the top, Lerum said. There were no injuries.
Lifeguards had no immediate explanation and notified Scripps Institute of Oceanography personnel.
Richard Seymour, a scientist at Scripps, came up with a theory after reviewing reports of wave patterns and weather conditions during the incident, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
"The currents around La Jolla were very strong," he told the newspaper. "The intensity of this event was probably produced by a group of very big waves."
