A San Francisco State University wrestler went missing after jumping into the sea with two friends off the coast of a California beach on Thursday.
Hamzah Alsaudi, 22, was hit by a large wave and swept away from shore and disappeared under the waves while swimming at Esplanade Beach around 10:30 a.m., Pacifica Police said.
The sophomore’s friends searched for the 22-year-old, but when they couldn’t find him, they managed to return to the beach and call 911.
Police, lifeguards and the Coast Guard searched for Alsaudi using drones, planes and a surface vessel but called off the search on Friday and will not resume search efforts this weekend.
San Francisco State University wrestler Hamzah Alsaudi, 22, went missing after jumping into the sea with two friends off the coast of a California beach on Thursday
According to a report by KTVU, Pacifica, a city 15 miles south of San Francisco, experienced dangerous currents when Alsaudi was pulled out to sea.
Alsaudi majored in Political Science with a minor in Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas (AMED) Studies and was a popular member of the SF State Wrestling team.
Friends said Alsaudi and his friends jumped into the rough waters for a “polar leap,” a trend that sees swimmers plunge into frigid water during the winter months.
“Sad, of course. It hasn’t quite kicked in yet. He was a great guy, one of my best friends on the team. Very generous,’ Callum Bisping said.
Neighbor Diana Compin said she brought flowers to offer comfort to Alsaudi’s loved ones.
She said she came across Alsaudi’s two friends during her morning walk shortly after he disappeared.
The news spread among teammates and friends who arrived at the beach and huddled with some who ventured into the water
Friends said Alsaudi and his friends jumped into the rough waters for a “polar leap,” a trend that sees swimmers plunge into frigid water during the winter months
Pacifica, a town 15 miles south of San Francisco, experienced dangerous currents when Alsaudi was pulled out to sea
“I stumbled across a horrible scene,” she said.
“I think he was shaking so much because of what was going on, not because it was cold.
“He said I had to call his parents, but, ‘I don’t want to tell him he’s dead because I don’t know if he’s dead.’ This poor kid just wasn’t dating.”
The news spread among teammates and friends who arrived at the beach and huddled with some who ventured into the water.
‘[It was to] bid him farewell, celebrate him. [We] receive [a] Connection through touching the water,” Bisping said.
A statement from San Francisco State University paid tribute to the missing 22-year-old and offered counseling for friends of Alsaudi, as well as students and teachers.
Fellow wrestler Callum Bisping said the shock of Alsaudi’s disappearance was yet to come
Neighbor Diana Compin said she brought flowers to offer comfort to Alsaudi’s loved ones
Police, lifeguards and the Coast Guard searched for Alsaudi using drones, planes and a surface vessel but called off the search on Friday and will not resume search efforts this weekend
They wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I write to you. Many of you may have heard that SF State student Hamzah Alsaudi has been missing since a swimming accident in Pacifica on Thursday, January 19th.
“At this time, we have been advised that authorities are no longer actively searching for Hamzah and he is missing.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gator community now as we process this news.
“As always, you are not alone at a difficult time like this. Please reach out to our SF State resources if you need assistance or would like someone to collaborate.
‘SF State Friends of Hamzah and other students in need of assistance should contact Counseling and Mental Health Services. Advisors are ready and available to help you.
“We remain deeply grateful to the Coast Guard, police and others for all they have done to assist in the search.”