20-25 years ago, I was fishing in early November, late on Sunday afternoon, dusk, ruff surf, got smacked by a wave, I didn't anticipate being so big, and sucked under, with the tow.. the rip, and tow effect pulled me under and out.
I had a brand new rod and reel, this is the "humor" in the story.
I was pulled parralell to the beach for over 100 yards, under water.. the only reason I know this for sure, is my buddy saw my rod *that's all he could see, the top 3 feet or so, of a ten foot rod, sticking straight outta the water, bobbing around like mad, travelling that distance.. I NEVER let it go

I was scrambling to get my feet under me, as I was bouncing bottom.. luckily, I was on a big bar, and I finally was able to right myself... I waded in, wet and cold, I peeled my waders off, enuf water to maybe soak up in a sponge inside them, and my clothes were wet, but not really soaked, my sweat shirt was a helluva lot more soaked then my pants, they actually had some dry spots on them, and were what I'd call damp, at the worst.
Never ,ever had so much sand packed in a reel, needed a full teardown.
I never go above my knees anymore in waders, and wear them, but wont venture into real ruff surf.. I just throw plugs, or tin into ruff surf now
I wasn't under all that long, but they don't really fill, they let some water in, but I do remember the odd feeling of flopping around in them.