DANA POINT (CNS) – The search for a 34-year-old Rowland Heights man reported missing in the ocean amid high surf was called off late this afternoon, according to authorities.

The swimmer, Frank Daniel Austin, was reported missing by his mother Sunday, according to Orange County sheriff’s Capt. Steve Doan.

The sheriff’s department, Orange County lifeguards and U.S. Coast Guard personnel resumed their search by air and on the sea this morning at dawn but failed to find him.

Lifeguards will continue to look for Austin on their regular rounds of the area, according to authorities.

Austin went into the surf at Salt Creek Beach and did not come out, Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Joe Balicki said. The surf was breaking at 5-7 feet Sunday.

An initial search, started about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, was fruitless by the time it was called off about 10 p.m., when the water got too rough for divers, Balicki said.

“We’ll try to figure out a reference point where he went in to start the search,” Balicki said. Austin’s family held a vigil at the beach Sunday evening.

The surf, generated by Hurricane Ileana off Mexico,was expected to subside slightly today to 4-to-6 feet, with some sets up to 8 feet on south- facing beaches.

Balicki warned swimmers and surfers about strong currents associated with the big surf.

“Some people think they’re more experienced than they are,” he said.

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