Ocean Beach delivered one of its trademark reminders this week that even the most experienced surfers are ultimately at the mercy of the ocean. A 55-year-old San Francisco surfer died Thursday after being rescued from the heavy surf near Lincoln Way at Ocean Beach. According to the SF Fire Department , lifeguards and fellow surfers responded after spotting the man in distress just outside the surf line. Despite extensive rescue efforts, he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The victim was later identified as Sandro Ricardo Britz of San Francisco. Officials said an off-duty National Park Service lifeguard and three on-duty lifeguards quickly responded after noticing the surfer waving his hands above his head, a recognized distress signal. They found him face down, unconscious, and not breathing before bringing him back to shore and beginning lifesaving measures. Conditions at Ocean Beach were far from ordinary.…