SAN DIEGO - A search is under way Sunday for a missing swimmer in Ocean Beach.

Lifeguards received a report at about 2:30 a.m. of a bearded man in shorts who entered the water at the foot of Del Monte Avenue and disappeared after submerging under the water about 20 yards out from shore, said San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Greg Buchanan.

"We initiated a search by land, sea and air using lifeguard vessels as well as lifeguard and police walking patrols along the shoreline as well as a San Diego Fire-Rescue helicopter," said Buchanan.

Buchanan said search efforts continued after dawn with the assistance of a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and vessel, along with numerous other law enforcement boats and walking patrols along the shoreline cliffs.

"We are going to continue that through the day," Buchanan said.

The missing man was described as a white man with short straight blonde hair. He is about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 140 pounds and has a thin build. He was last seen wearing white shorts with no shirt and no shoes.