Beachgoers are encountering more stingrays and suffering their lashings as a marine heat wave off Southern California draws them closer to shore. The number of people being hit by the sharp, serrated caudal barbs found on the tails of stingrays has doubled at some beaches from a year ago. Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches reported more than 3,100 incidents so far this year, twice the number for all of 2025. When rays are stepped on, they instinctively flick up their tails, stinging people with venomous barbs. Lifeguards urge bathers to shuffle their feet as they enter the water as the movement often gets rays to slide out of the way without stinging. Read more about how warmer water is drawing rays at the link in bio. #APPhotos by Jae C. Hong