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Malibu Pier Remains Closed, Cove House Collapses Due To High Surf

MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — Malibu Pier remained closed Wednesday after the popular attraction sustained damage from high surf which is expect to last through the week.

Swells, with waves as high as 15 feet, continued to bring multiple surfers out and forced officials to shut down the pier around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday because it wasn't safe for people to stand on.

KNX 1070's Margaret Carrero reports state parks officials said 10 of the pier's 297 pilings were also broken by the waves.

Malibu Pier Remains Closed Due To High Surf

Just after 10 p.m. Wednesday, KCAL9's Stu Mundel captured the Cove House on video as it buckled into the ocean. The structure took a beating from the waves over the past 24 hours.

KCAL9's Bobby Kaple spoke with several lifeguards and residents who watched the high surf from the guard station before it collapsed.

For many, the guard house near Sycamore Canyon served as a spot that lifeguards referred to as home for several decades.

Norm Chapman, a retired lifeguard, told Kaple he worked out of the Cove House every day since 1980.

"A lot of lifeguards have put a lot of time into it over the years; it's sad," Chapman said. "It's hard not to get choked up; I've been here 35 years."

A surfer in his 40s died Tuesday at a hospital after he was rescued by Los Angeles County Lifeguards at nearby Surfrider Beach.

KCAL9's Amy Johnson spoke with LA County Fire Lifeguard Capt. Dan Murphy Wednesday afternoon about conditions at the pier.

"Conditions are dangerous; we have big surf," Murphy said. "It's dangerous even for the experts."

The natural spectacle has drawn hundreds to the beach to catch a glimpse or a ride on one of the waves, leading Los Angeles County Fire officials to increase lifeguard patrols for Wednesday with extra personnel, watercraft and boats.

"We are concerned, we brought a crew on early this morning, we will have a personal watercraft patrolling the area," said Murphy.

The large waves have caused problems even for those considered to be seasoned surfers. For some, injuries occurred, while others managed to get by with only a broken surf board.

"I tried to go through the pier and didn't make it all the way," surfer Angelo Gulotti said. "It got bounced up into the houses."

"You can get pummeled," said surfer Ricardo Duffy. "The wave I got caught inside of, that's where I got my hamstring ripped."

The pier is expected to remain closed through Friday evening when a high-surf advisory expires.

"This is Super Bowl conditions, " Murphy said. "You don't put a high school varsity player out here. This is for the experts, and it's tough for them."

According to authorities, more than 250 people have been rescued by lifeguards since Tuesday.

"It takes you off your feet," said Dave Peters, a swimmer who was rescued from the high surf earlier Wednesday. "It's not a very graceful landing, you gotta let it wash you in."

Officials have also closed nearby beaches in Rancho Palos Verdes, including Portuguese Point, Sacred Cove and Inspiration Point.

RELATED: Surfer Dies After Being Pulled From Water Near Malibu Pier

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