Southern California beaches have seen a sharp rise in stingray-related injuries this year, with lifeguards reporting 3,100 incidents—double the total from all of 2025. The surge has been particularly pronounced at Bolsa Chica State Beach and Huntington State Beach, where lifeguards have recorded more than 2,000 stings in 2026 alone.
At Huntington Beach, a 31-year-old tourist from New Mexico, Jake Hemann, became one of the latest victims after dismounting his surfboard and stepping on what he described as a sharp stick. “It hurt pretty bad,” Hemann said while soaking his foot in hot water at a lifeguard station. “It was radiating up to my ankle.” He was among five injured beachgoers treated at the station within an hour.
Lifeguard data shows a broader trend across the region. San Diego beaches recorded 900 stings in the first half of 2026, exceeding totals from the same period in any of the past five years. Marine experts attribute the increase to a marine heat wave that has kept ocean temperatures in the 60s°F consistently, even during winter months.
Why the stingrays are closer to shore
Round stingrays, native to Pacific waters from Panama to Southern California, typically move toward shallower areas when water temperatures rise and swells are low. Researchers note that declining populations of stingray predators, such as sharks and sea lions, may also contribute to their increased presence near the coast.
Bryan R. Etnyre, state park superintendent in northern Orange County, confirmed the trend. “We’re definitely seeing an increase,” Etnyre said. “A lot of it is due to warming ocean temperatures that are consistently staying in the 60s. I don’t think there was a week all winter where we dropped below 60 this year.”
Safety measures and ongoing research
In response to the spike in injuries, local authorities have intensified public awareness campaigns, advising beachgoers to perform the “stingray shuffle”—a shuffling motion in shallow water to avoid stepping on hidden rays. Lifeguards have also increased patrols in high-risk areas.
Researchers in Seal Beach recently conducted a study, clipping barbs from captured stingrays to assess population dynamics. The effort aims to better understand the rays’ behavior amid changing environmental conditions.
Long-term implications
While the immediate concern is public safety, scientists warn that the heat wave and its effects on marine life could signal broader ecological shifts. The prolonged warming of coastal waters may alter habitats and food chains, with ripple effects on both wildlife and human activity.
For now, beachgoers like Hemann are adjusting their routines. “I’ll definitely be more careful next time,” he said, wrapping a bandage around his foot.