Like Raw Meat

Crowds came out to enjoy the surf and sunshine at La Jolla Shores on July 14. But by the end of the day, over 38 beachgoers had felt the barbs of stingrays that were clustered in shallow water.

I was walking near a lifeguard tower when I heard muted crying and wailing. On further inspection, I witnessed a teen girl being treated by lifeguards. She was in distress from a stingray bite and so hysterical that an oxygen mask was placed on her face. Soon after, an ambulance and fire truck appeared and she was taken away on a gurney.

A lady named Kelsey, who had been taking pictures, exclaimed: "I would be freaking out too with a big gash like she had — it looked like raw meat hanging there."

Under a blue tent, lifeguards put buckets of hot water out for the victims to soak their injuries in. As I was walking away, booming loud and clear over the P.A. system were these words of wisdom: "Beachgoers: please be aware of stingrays as you swim today. SHUFFLE YOUR FEET to avoid being stung."