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Who is Humzah Alsaudi? SFSU student goes missing after taking 'polar plunge' in the Pacific

Police, lifeguards, and the Coast Guard looked for Humzah Alsaudi, but the search was called off on January 20

PACIFICA, CALIFORNIA : A swimmer who went missing in the ocean off the coast of Pacifica on Thursday, January 19, was identified as San Francisco State University student-athlete Hamzah Alsaudi. The 22-year-old student was hit by a large wave around 10.30 am when him and his two friends were swimming at Esplanade Beach. He was pulled far away from the shore, Pacifica police said.

After trying to find him in the waters, his friends returned to the beach and immediately called 911. Police and firefighters responded to reports of a distressed swimmer but authorities were unable to locate him after hours of searching. 

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Friends told KTVU that Alsaudi and his friends had jumped into the rough, cold waters for a "polar plunge", a trend where swimmers jump into cold water during winters. The waters off the Pacifico coast was 53 degrees on January 18, according reports. Police, lifeguards, and the Coast Guard looked for Alsaudi using drones, aircraft and a surface vessel, but the search was called on January 20, Friday and according to SF State, the efforts will not resume this weekend.

 Who is Hamzah Alsaudi?

The university confirmed his identity on Friday, January 20. He was a sophomore and member of the SFSU Gators wrestling team from Santa Monica. He is described as 6'1" tall, 215 lbs, with brown hair, and last seen wearing black shorts. Alsaudi is an exemplary athlete and is pursuing a political science degree with a minor in Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas (AMED) Studies. He was born in Iraq but was living in Santa Monica.

Alsaudi has been a three time CIF (Champions Indoor Football) champion and placed fifth at the state championships at 195 pounds as a senior. He also won the USS Midway wrestling Tournament and the West Coast classic championship. He spent four years on the wrestling team in Palisades High School.

He described his most memorable moment as when he beat the eventual state champion in a 10-9 match. He has three siblings. His favourite athlete is Kobe Bryant and his favourite book is ‘The Alchemist’.

The SF state account on Twitter posted a message about Alsaudi. "It is with a heavy hearts that we share news about one of our beloved students and member of our wrestling team. Our thoughts are with Hamzah, his loved ones, and anyone who needs support during this time," it read.

Many mourned the likely death of a promising wrestler. "RIP Hamzah Alsaudi. An incredible wrestler, coach and teammate. This guy was always there to help out the kids and this is such a tragedy," tweeted Adam Hunter.

MMA Roasted tweeted, "RIP Hamzah Alsaudi. An incredible wrestler, coach and teammate. This guy was always there to help out the kids and this is such a tragedy."

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal hazard alert because of the risk of king tides, a non-scientific term used to describe exceptionally high tides as Earth interacts with the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The alert was issued for the North Bay coast south to the Big Sur coast and will be in place until January 23, Monday afternoon.

The weather service has also issued a beach hazard statement that will be in place from January 20, Friday evening to January 22, Sunday afternoon for the enhanced risk of sneaker waves, which are waves appearing without warning, as well as strong rip currents.