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A San Francisco State University wrestler went missing after diving into the ocean off a California beach for a ‘polar plunge’ with two friends on Thursday.
Hamzah Alsaudi, 22, was hit by a large wave and washed away from shore and disappeared under the waves while swimming off Esplanade Beach around 10:30 am. peaceful police saying.
Friends of the college sophomore searched for the 22-year-old, but when they couldn’t find him they made it back to the beach and called 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 diving into the ocean off a California beach for a ‘polar plunge’ with two friends on Thursday.
According to a report from KTVUPacifica, a city 15 miles south of San Francisco, was experiencing dangerous high tides when Alsaudi was pulled out to sea.
Alsaudi was a senior in Political Science majoring with a minor in Arab and Muslim Ethnic and Diaspora Studies (AMED) and was a beloved member of the SF State Wrestling team.
Friends said Alsaudi and his friends had jumped into the rough waters for a ‘polar plunge’, a trend when swimmers jump into cold water in the winter months.
Sad, obviously. It has not been fully installed yet. He was an amazing guy, one of my best friends on the team. Very generous,” Callum Bisping said.
Neighbor Diana Compin said she brought flowers to the scene to bring comfort to Alsaudi’s loved ones.
She said that during her morning walk, she ran into Alsaudi’s two friends just after he went missing.
Word spread among teammates and friends who came to the beach, snuggling with some venturing into the water.
Friends said Alsaudi and his friends had jumped into the rough waters for a ‘polar plunge’, a trend when swimmers jump into cold water in the winter months.
Pacifica, a city 15 miles south of San Francisco, was experiencing dangerous high tides when Alsaudi was pulled out to sea.
“I was met with a terrible scene,” he said.
“I think I was shaking so much because of what was going on, not because it was cold.
“He said I have to call his parents, but, ‘I don’t want to tell him he’s dead, because I don’t know if he is.’ This poor boy just wasn’t right.’
Word spread among teammates and friends who came to the beach, snuggling with some venturing into the water.
‘[It was to] fire it, celebrate it. [We] have [a] connection by touching the water,” Bisping said.
A statement of San Francisco State University he paid tribute to the 22-year-old who disappeared and offered advice to Alsaudi’s friends as well as to students and teachers.
Fellow fighter Callum Bisping said the impact of Alsaudi’s disappearance has yet to manifest.
Neighbor Diana Compin said she brought flowers to the scene to bring 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: ‘I write to you with a heavy heart. Many of you may have already heard that SF State student Hamzah Alsaudi has been missing since a swimming accident in Pacifica on Thursday, January 19.
“At this time, we have been told that authorities are no longer actively searching for Hamzah, and he is considered missing.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gator community at this time as we process this news.
‘As always, in a difficult time like this, you are not alone. Please contact our SF State Resources if you need assistance or would like to process with someone.
Friends of Hamzah’s ‘SF State and other students who need help should contact Counseling and Psychology Services. Counselors are ready and available to help you.
“We remain deeply grateful to the Coast Guard, Police Department and others for all they have done to help with the search.”