A surfer who appeared to have been knocked unconscious Wednesday afternoon in rough surf of Rodeo Beach in Marin remains missing today as search crews continue their efforts to find him. Fellow surfers observed 40-year-old Dan Dafoe face down in the water just after 5 p.m. yesterday, and two of them swam out to attempt to pull him ashore. Waves however were 8 to 10 feet high and crashing at 15-second intervals according to a statement from the National Park Service, and the attempted rescuers were hit by a large wave and lost contact with Dafoe.

Per the statement, sent to SFist:

The National Park Service working with Marin Fire and Southern Marin Fire first-responders including swimmers and small watercraft, along with the US Coast Guard search boat and helicopter scoured the water and shoreline last night until limited visibility and the hazardous conditions required them to suspend operations until daybreak today. The search resumed around 6:00AM [Thursday] with teams on the ground, in the water, and in the air.

NBC Bay Area reported Wednesday evening that Dafoe, a resident of San Rafael, "was last seen in the water near a cave at the north end of the beach."

Rodeo Beach is part of the northern section of the Marin Headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, adjacent to Fort Cronkhite and the Headlands Institute.

Below, an image of Wednesday rough surf tweeted by the National Park Service.

Update: Dafoe's body washed ashore and was recovered near Rodeo Beach on Friday, after a full, unsuccessful day of searching on Thursday was called off.

Related: Mavericks Waves Hit 50 Feet, Surf Competition Could Be Called Any Day