O.C. Lifeguards Keeping Eye Out For Danger Following Recent Shark Attack

NEWPORT BEACH  (CBSLA.com) —  Lifeguards are expected to have their hands filled this weekend -- triple-digit temperatures, rip currents, high surf.

And don't leave out a recent shark attack along the coast.

CBS2's Stacey Butler reports lifeguards will be especially vigilant.

More than 85,000 are expected to flock to the beach to beat the heat.

John and Alina Vesa of Aliso Viejo always beat the heat by taking their two kids to Newport Beach.

But this year, they have established one rule. No one is allowed in the water.

"Just in the last the last couple of weeks, with Orlando [and the alligator attack] and the shark sightings here," says John Vesa, "too many things are happening."

Hie wife echoed the sentiment.

"As parents we are definitely keeping an extra eye on the kids. We don't want to be the next story -- that sounds really bad," said Alina.

Swimmer and surfers have reason to be on edge after a woman was bitten by a great white shark at Big Corona Beach.

"It's definitely on my mind when I'm out there alone," said one swimmer.

Scientists tracking great white sharks along Orange County shores say their numbers have skyrocketed.

Cal State Long Beach Marine Biologist Chris Lowe told Butler he'd never head of juvenile great whites off Huntington Beach.  And suddenly, last year, he tagged 16 of them.

"We're looking for anything out of the normal, we're constantly watching the water," said one lifeguard.

Late Friday, Newport Beach lifeguards cruised the shoreline looking for sharks or swimmers in distress.

Fortunately, they found only swimmers. They said they rescued 50 people in all.

"People need to stay vigilant when they enter the water. We certainly are taking all the necessary precautions we can. We have our patrol boats out there watching," said Brent Jacobsen, Chief Lifeguard at Newport Beach.

Lifeguards issued a stern warning -- if you are swimming this weekend to do so near a lifeguard tower.