Seal Beach Lifeguards Warn of Stingray Surge: Injuries Spike Amid Warm, Calm Waters

As of August 2nd, 2025, Seal Beach lifeguards are warning beachgoers about a concerning spike in stingray-related injuries. According to marine safety officer Matthew Corb, the average number of stingray stings treated by lifeguards has risen from 1 per day to around 10, with as many as 15 stings per day reported in the last two weeks.

Marine safety lieutenant Nicholas Bolin explains that the recent calm, warm waters and low surf have drawn stingrays closer to the shore, as they prefer these conditions. The west end of Seal Beach, known as "ray bay," is particularly prone to stingray encounters due to a nearby power plant that warms the water, attracting the marine creatures.

Researchers at the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, noted that the stingray population in Seal Beach reached an all-time high in 2022, with an estimated 30,000 stingrays in the water. This population boom has been attributed to factors like climate change, improved water quality, and a decrease in the stingray's natural predator, the white shark.

To avoid stingray stings, experts recommend shuffling your feet in the sand as you move through the water, which alerts the camouflaged stingrays and allows them to swim away. If stung, the recommended treatment is to soak the affected area in hot, fresh water for 30 to 90 minutes to break down the venom and relieve the pain.