Heading to the Jersey Shore? What to expect with lifeguard staffing, rip current conditions

If you are heading to the Jersey Shore this week, most beaches now have a full staff of lifeguards on duty.

Jim Murdoch

Jun 14, 2023, 12:03 PM

Updated 543 days ago

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It's been a difficult start to the swimming season with two deaths already at the Jersey Shore where no lifeguards were on duty.
If you are heading to the Jersey Shore this week, most beaches now have a full staff of lifeguards on duty. The Department of Environmental Conservation also released a report that shows beaches from Cape May to Sandy Hook have excellent water quality.
"Most people think that we only have rip currents when the ocean is rough that's, really not the case, " says Asbury Park Beach safety supervisor Joe Bongiovanni. "It can depend on the tide, the topography of the bottom of the ocean, the beach, the wind direction, and how strong the wind is."
Officials just urge swimmers to use caution in the water, especially when there are rip current warnings.
Bongiovanni says swimmers should never go in the water when there is no lifeguard present.