Surf rescue under Pismo Beach Pier captured in viral video

A video posted on Aug. 13 on TikTok documented a Pismo Beach lifeguard rescuing a surfer who appeared to be caught under the pier, gaining the attention of over 100,000 viewers on the platform.

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, at around 2 p.m., radio communication between Pismo Beach Lifeguard Towers 2 and 3 alerted those on staff about four people caught under the pier, Pismo Beach Chief Batallion Paul Lee told The Tribune.

The identity of the individuals who were rescued was not publicly available.

Three of the four people were motioned by lifeguards to move safely to the north side of the pier, while one surfer, whose surfboard leash was wrapped around their leg, remained stuck alongside one of the pier’s pilings, Lee said.

The pier’s pilings hold a collection of built-up sea glass and razor-like barnacles that can easily cut or scrape skin, according to Lee, though the surfer who was eventually rescued by lifeguards came out with only a couple of scratches.

No one was hospitalized, Lee said.

Pismo Beach lifeguards conduct around 30 to 100 rescues a year, according to Lee.

This year, lifeguards at Pismo Beach have conducted about 50 rescues, though the goal is to prevent the potential for a situation to arise, Lee said.

This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Surf rescue under Pismo Beach Pier captured in viral video."