“These Are Deaths That Could Be Stopped”: Surfing Community Receives Precious Tips During Beach Safety Week

Beach lovers are looking forward to the coming days as summer approaches and the school year comes to an end. In the middle of this excitement, safety is stressed, emphasizing how an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Let the sun be soaked up, waves be ridden, and sandcastles be built, all while ensuring that safety remains a top priority.

People are encouraged to use caution around water. Although the beaches in San Clemente are a wonderful place to unwind, surf and have fun, there are still potential hazards. How do we make sure we’re safe from rip currents and other water dangers? Lifeguards promote surfing instructions and learnings about potential hazards.

San Clemente Beach Video Urges Caution Concerning Surfer Safety

In the midst of National Beach Safety Week, observed from May 22 to May 29, a cautionary video was issued by the City of San Clemente for beachgoers. The video featured lifeguard Ian Burton from the Marine Safety Department. With a primary focus on rip currents, a grave concern, is the dangers they pose to swimmers and surfers of all levels resulting in numerous rescues each year.

It was underscored that 96% of rescues are attributed to rip currents. The significance of lifeguards in ensuring safety was emphasized, along with Burton’s advice to consult them for current conditions. “ Learn to swim, always swim near a lifeguard, and when in doubt don’t go out”, said the lifeguard.

During the interview with San Clemente Times, Ian reported that flags play a major role in safety, like yellow with black circles, to represent no surfing. Areas for surfing and casual swimming are designated. The major surfing guideline is related by Greg Hulsizer, who also is a lifeguard, “Proficient swimming skills should be known before venturing onto a surfboard.” Hulsizer warned, “Never turn your board sideways, always keep it pointed straight and out and never bail on your board; always hold onto your board because if you bail off and that leash breaks, it’s going to get somebody else.”

Essential Considerations Before Hitting the Shoreline

National Beach Safety Week is coordinated by the United States Lifesaving Association National Public Education Committee, alongside the nine USLA regions, each responsible for their respective efforts. There are certain rules that must be followed by all. Flags when green indicate the light conditions. When there are surf or strong currents, a yellow colored flag is flown, and red is the color of danger signaling unstable currents in oceanic conditions.

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Flags are flown atsk and at twilight, leaving the daytime for safe swimming. The presence of stingrays is warned with purple color signs.  Rip currents, noticeable by their discolored and choppy appearance, demand attention. Assembly member Laurie Davies stressed the importance of education to prevent avoidable tragedies. He said to the local newspaper about the casualties, “But these are deaths that could be stopped, and so education is everything,” Additionally, lifeguard Greg Hulsizer emphasized a crucial safety guideline – “No drinking and swimming; alcohol and the ocean don’t mix.”

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