A San Francisco State University wrestler is missing after jumping onto Esplanade Beach for a “polar plunge,” friends and authorities said.
Hamzah Alsaudi, 22, of Santa Monica, was going for a swim Thursday morning with two other men when a wave hit him and carried him away from shore, the Pacifica Police Department said in a statement. Press release.
The other two men were able to get out of the water and called 911 for help. Pacifica police and firefighters searched the area and nearby beaches, but could not find Alsaudi.
The US Coast Guard, the California Highway Patrol air unit, the San Bruno Police Department and the California State Parks Ocean Life Wardens were also called in to help. Alsaudi has not been located.
friends said KTVU that Alsaudi and his wrestling teammates were doing a polar plunge, when people jump into cold water during the winter months. They told the news station that he was not a good swimmer.
The university sent a letter to the community on Friday about the search for Alsaudi. The police department did not have any updates on the search when contacted Saturday.
Alsaudi majors in political science at the university with a minor in Arab and Muslim ethnicity and diaspora studies.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gator community at this time as we process this news,” the school said. “We remain deeply grateful to the Coast Guard, Police Department and others for all they have done to help with the search.”
