Boater Thrown Overboard by Wave Swims Ashore

HUNTINGTON BEACH —  A vacationer from Oregon swam to safety after being knocked off a boat by a “sleeper wave” at Bolsa Chica State Beach, officials said Monday.

Bosanco Dorin, 23, of Portland, and two companions were on a 19-foot powerboat just offshore about 9 p.m. Sunday when the rogue wave struck, said Al Pepito, Huntington State Beach lifeguard supervisor.

“They thought they were far enough out not to get caught in any waves,” he said.

The so-called sleeper wave--a large swell that can build up and surprise surfers or boaters near shore--knocked the craft on its side, throwing Dorin in the water.

After the boat’s operator, Titus Cordos, realized Dorin was overboard, he returned in the darkness to try to find him. In his search, Cordos ran the boat ashore about 1 1/2 miles south of Warner Avenue, Pepito said.

Dorin meanwhile swam ashore and walked to a parking lot, where someone telephoned for paramedics.

A Huntington Beach fire crew examined Dorin, who complained of dizziness and being very cold. As a precaution, they transported him to Pacifica Community Hospital in Huntington Beach, where he was treated and released.