News Summary
Virginia Beach will extend lifeguard coverage through the last weekend of September, aligning with the Neptune Festival. This decision aims to enhance beach safety following last summer’s tragedy of a triple drowning. Lifeguards will emphasize swimming near their stations and assess swimming abilities realistically to avoid dangerous ocean conditions. Last weekend, nearly 200 rescues were conducted due to rip currents exacerbated by Tropical Storm Dexter, highlighting the need for vigilance. Beachgoers are urged to swim only when lifeguards are present for their safety.
Virginia Beach Extends Lifeguard Coverage Through September
Lifeguards at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront will extend their availability through the final weekend in September, coinciding with the popular Neptune Festival. This decision aims to enhance safety following a tragic triple drowning incident that occurred last summer. The extended coverage will not incur additional costs to the city, as it is merely a scheduling adjustment.
Safety Measures and Precautions
The goal of extending lifeguard duties is to ensure that there is a presence on the beach to provide warnings and to help prevent dangerous situations. Reports from beachgoers indicate that ocean waves can quickly become perilous, with many noting the challenge of fighting against strong tides. Lifeguards are emphasizing the importance of being cautious and swimming only in the vicinity of their stations for added safety.
The extended lifeguard service will conclude after the Neptune Festival, after which lifeguards will take a break until the following summer. Lifeguards encourage beachgoers to assess their swimming abilities realistically and stress the importance of not underestimating potentially hazardous ocean conditions.
Increased Rescues and Dangerous Conditions
In a recent weekend, lifeguards in Virginia Beach conducted nearly 200 rescues due to dangerous rip currents and rough surf conditions along the coast. According to social media updates from the Virginia Beach Lifeguards Association, 180 individuals were rescued across three beaches. The Deputy Chief of the Lifesaving Service pointed out that the number of rescues during that weekend exceeded those typically observed during busy holiday periods, highlighting the heightened risks associated with rip currents this year.
These dangerous conditions were exacerbated by high surf and strong winds attributed to Tropical Storm Dexter, leading to increased safety warnings against swimming in the ocean. Lifeguards advised anyone caught in a rip current to swim parallel to the shore and to ensure they swim only in areas monitored by lifeguards.
Lifeguard Training and Preparedness
The Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service employs nearly 200 lifeguards during the summer months to maintain safety at the beach. All lifeguards are required to successfully complete a 500-meter swim in under 10 minutes and undergo at least 40 hours of surf rescue training. New recruits are paired with veteran lifeguards to promote effective learning and proficiency in rescue techniques.
Training for lifeguards includes a strong emphasis on maintaining constant vigilance over swimmers and recognizing potential dangers in the water. Officials remind the public that with the combination of high temperatures and an influx of visitors, the risk of emergencies at the beach can increase significantly.
Public Advisory
As the busy season continues, beachgoers are strongly encouraged to swim only when lifeguards are present and to consult with them upon arrival for essential safety information. Adhering to these guidelines can help ensure a safer beach experience for everyone.
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Additional Resources
- WTKR: Virginia Beach Lifeguards Extend Season
- Wikipedia: Virginia Beach
- 13 News Now: 180 People Saved
- Google Search: Virginia Beach Lifeguards
- Wavy: Virginia Beach Lifeguards Prep for Summer
- Google Scholar: Lifeguard Training Virginia Beach
- WUSA9: Virginia Beach Drowning Incident
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rip Currents
- WTKR: Lifeguards Warning of Rough Waters
- Google News: Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
