Beach captains prep for challenging week amid Hurricane Erin, smaller lifeguard staff
Nearly a quarter of the Lavallette lifeguard staff have already left for school.
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Rip current warnings are posted on the barrier island beaches in Ocean County.
In Bay Head, Beach Superintendent Hank Handchen says there is a possibility the ocean may be closed to swimmers through the rest of the week.
“Today's waves are from northeast winds,” said Handchen. “This isn't even from the waves from Hurricane Erin, which is expected to pass well offshore…We already lost 10 feet of beach today, and by Friday, we could be looking at another 30 yards of sand lost.”
Lifeguard captains in Ocean County are expecting a rough week due to the strong northeast winds on Monday and Tuesday, swells from Hurricane Erin on Wednesday and Thursday and shorter staffing as many of the guards head back to school.
“We are concerned with how this week's going to play out,” said Lavallette lifeguard captain Jack Caucino.
Lavallette Beach Patrol trucks actively look for anyone attempting to swim in the ocean.
“We have our truck going up and down the beach. We have our guards sitting at the end of the streets watching the people as they come over the hill over the dune,” said Caucino.
Nearly a quarter of the lifeguard staff have already left for school.
“Right now, we are down around 13 lifeguards for the patrol out of 60, so that's a big chunk of our patrol. The guards that are still here tend to be on the younger side. So, we are dealing with younger guards and old guys like us. But we will be on the stand. We will have to make our swimming areas tighter,” Caucino said.
For vacationers, it means a week of staying out of the ocean.
“It's really upsetting for me because I love swimming, but I got to swim last week so it's not that bad,” said Shea Civello, visiting Lavallette on vacation from Rockaway.
But with strong winds and gray skies, the beaches stayed mostly empty as people found themselves packing local stores.
“Crab’s Claw is always a go-to with bad weather, so we are enjoying it so far,” said Rich Lauretta, of North Haledon.
“I wish it would be more beach weather that kind of drives the smoothie sales, but we are not complaining,” said Ryan Daly, owner of Playa Bowls in Lavallette.
Many of the Ocean County beach captains say swimming will be off limits through at least Thursday.
