33 stung by stingrays in Huntington Beach; low surf, warm water blamed

A rash of stingray stings over the weekend in Huntington Beach left more than 30 beachgoers feeling the pain.

Lifeguards treated 15 people for stings on Saturday and 18 more on Sunday, Huntington Beach Marine Safety Lt. Michael Beuerlein told Times Community News.

Stingray injuries are not uncommon in Huntington Beach, which logs 400 to 500 a year, Beuerlein said. Typically, however, “we probably average one to two a day,” he said.

A combination of small surf and warm water, like Huntington Beach saw over the weekend, usually brings a bump in stings, according to Beuerlein

“The lack of surf allows them to come in closer than they usually would,” he said.

Most stingrays have one or more barbed stingers on the tail. They normally don’t attack humans; most stings result from the ray being accidentally stepped on.

But a sting can cause intense pain from the cut and effects of the venom. The injury usually isn’t life-threatening and is typically treated initially by soaking the affected limb in hot water to neutralize the venom.

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck