A 30-year-old kitesurfer from Santa Clara drowned at Poplar Beach, Half Moon Bay, on the San Mateo Coast.
The tragic accident happened Sunday. Half Moon Bay police were called to Poplar Beach at about 1:20 p.m.
The man was wearing his wetsuit and getting ready to kitesurf when a rip current swept him away.
"He was a kitesurfer, but his board and wing were onshore. We don't know why he was in the water," said Half Moon Bay police Sgt. Mark Reed.
"It was rough surf today, and he was the only one out there," he added.
A state park ranger dove into the ocean to try and rescue him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.