Overview
- A sneaker wave swept Pacfica resident Bae Cadotte about 30 feet from shore on Tuesday, and fellow fishermen used a rope to pull her back after she spent several minutes in the surf.
- Cadotte removed her heavy fishing waders while in the water, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries described as "ocean whiplash," and CT scans showed no major internal damage.
- An anonymous fisherman who joined the rescue said he risked his life to help, and emergency responders arrived on scene within minutes of the bystander-assisted pull to shore.
- The incident follows the recent closure of the Pacifica Municipal Pier and demolition of the nearby Chit Chat Café after engineers found a widening structural crack, a change that has shifted more anglers onto the beach.
- Local leaders and residents have renewed appeals for repair funding and safer shoreline access, and anglers say the episode underscores simple safety steps such as shedding waterlogged waders and wearing a life vest.