California woman's miracle survival after powerful sneaker wave sweeps her into the ocean: 'It just swallowed me'

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 03:32, 22 June 2026 | Updated: 03:47, 22 June 2026 A woman in California survived being swept into the ocean by a powerful sneaker wave during a miracle moment after she was seen 'swallowed' by the waters. Bae Cadotte, 47, was seen being swept off her feet by the powerful waters along the beach near Pacifica Pier on Tuesday, before onlookers rescued her from the tides.  'It just swallowed me,' Cadotte told ABC News. 'I knew at that point she came in - I was going in. She's going to get me. No way I'm getting out of this.' Footage from a webcam saw the Pacifica fisherwoman knocked down by the waters that pulled her around 30 feet from the shoreline.  'It felt like I was tumbling in a washing machine,' she said.  Cadotte said she didn't fight the current and spent several minutes in the water before she was rescued.    'I just went with it,' she continued. 'I didn't try to fight it - there's no point in fighting a sneaker wave.  'I closed my eyes, I said a prayer- God, if this is your will, I understand, but please don’t let me leave my son.' Footage from a webcam saw the Pacifica fisherwoman knocked down by the waters that pulled her around 30 feet from the shoreline Bae Cadotte, 47, was seen being swept off her feet by the powerful waters along the beach near Pacifica Pier on Tuesday, before onlookers rescued her from the tides The mother was treated for hypothermia and 'ocean whiplash' and is now recovering at home Nearby anglers threw Cadotte a rope and pulled her back to shore, as she told them: 'Thanks for risking your life to save mine.'  Emergency crews responded not long after and Cadotte was rushed to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.  The mother was treated for hypothermia and 'ocean whiplash' and is now recovering at home, according to the outlet.  Cadotte is also an outspoken protestor involved in efforts to save the Pacifica Pier, which has been closed due to severe damage  and structural deterioration.  'Today was a close call, and this made me realize that yes the Pier does SAVE lives! Especially the lives of those who go out on the surf for fishing and crabbing. Oh our ocean… she is not forgiving,' Cadotte wrote on a Facebook group.  'We have met so many wonderful people on that pier who we consider our family. The camaraderie is amazing. We fish and crab, we cook for one another on that pier and we make memories and much more. It’s still so shocking to muster that our beautiful pier is ruined beyond repair.' Cadotte is an outspoken protestor involved in efforts to save the Pacifica Pier, which has been closed due to severe damage and structural deterioration On Wednesday, an update on Facebook said that Cadotte was in hospital and was expected to be discharged in the next few days 'To some it may just be a pier, but to others like myself, the pier was where our world felt complete. I have cried on that pier, spoke to God in prayer, laughed with friends, and built memories that all came from that pier,' she continued.  She added that she hopes solutions can be produced to rebuild, reuse and renew the pier, which she described as a 'hidden gem' and a 'truly beautiful place that brings people far and wide, rain or shine together.' On Wednesday, an update on Facebook said that Cadotte was in hospital and was expected to be discharged in the next few days.     'The pier saves lives sneaker waves take lives,' Cadotte wrote.  'The ocean is not our friend. She is indifferent. She is respected and beautiful and fierce.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.