Lifeguards made 350 rescues on Newport Beach in a single day.

The beach patrol team saved hundreds of vacationers in Huntington Beach during the Fourth of July holiday weekend in California.

Rip currents and high surf of over 8ft forced the group to retrieve stranded beachgoers.

Dramatic aerial footage shows a rescue speedboat approaching 10 swimmers caught in a powerful rip current and stranded in the middle of the sea on Friday, July 5.

Lifeguard Trevor McDonald said: 'A lot of water moves toward the shore, and it finds the path of least resistance. We were looking at rip currents that were hundreds of yards offshore, pulling water into that deep section.'

Management reportedly had to double its lifeguard tower staff in crowded areas, with boats and jet skis on standby.

In Santa Monica on Saturday, swimmers said the waves were a bit rough but not enough to keep them out of the water.

Swimmer Jace said: 'When I was swimming, I was in there, and the waves kept pulling me in and pulling me out. I almost got pulled in, but then I got out, so the waves are higher than usual.'

No injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the incidents, and all individuals were safely rescued.

Authorities warned beachgoers of the risky rip currents and high surf on July 6.

They said: 'We are strongly recommending visiting the lifeguard tower before they swim so we can help them find the safest spot to swim.'