A 53-year-old Ocean Beach surfer died after being battered and fatigued by high surf off of Sunset Cliffs Wednesday, May 24.
According to authorities, Robert Palumbo was originally from Ocean Beach, but had been living in Trenton, New Jersey for the past four years.

Rescuers were called in at 7:28 p.m. after witnesses reported the victim yelling for help at the base of the cliffs near Point Loma Nazarene University, according to San Diego lifeguard Lt. Nick Lerma.
Lerma said the surf at the time was at high tide and extremely rough. The victim apparently paddled in, but could not reach the exit point on the cliffs. Four witnesses attempted to help the surfer, but could not reach him.

“He was admittedly a little more out of shape and not as used to the conditions and the elements,” Lerma said. “He was just very, very tired and couldn’t pull that off.”
By the time lifeguards reached the victim, he was unconscious. Rescuers attempted to revive the victim as they brought him to shore at the Quivera Basin dock. Paramedics on the scene pronounced him dead after performing CPR.