Rescuers have ended their search for a 43-year-old man swept to sea during a baptism ceremony on a southern California beach.

The US coast guard said the search was called off and there are no plans to resume it.

A wave pulled three people into the ocean and only two managed to return to shore on their own.

Pastor Maurigro Cervantes, of Jesus Christ Light of the Sky Church, said his cousin, Benito Flores, was helping perform a baptism when he was swept away.

A fire service spokesman said it would be difficult for anyone to survive more than 30 minutes in the cold water.

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