Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Monthly Beach Report For January 2019

Monthly Beach Report For

Jaycee Park / Humiston Park / South Beach Park

Our Mission:

To promote lifeguarding and water safety in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities

Email: VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com

Website: www.VBLA.org

STATISTICS

Total Park Attendance 65,704

Preventative Actions 701

Minor Medicals 12

Major Medicals 0

Rescues 0

Average Water Temperature 68

Beach Erosion Moderate

Stinging Marine Life Minimal

General Conditions

Monthly beach attendance was light in January 2019 due to cool and rainy days along with an end-of-the-month water test that reveled high levels of bacteria at Sexton, Humiston and South Beach Parks. Despite the poor weather and water quality, January 2019 broke the old attendance record of 53,000 set back in 2012 & 2017 with almost 66,000 visitors. There were 12 first responder calls with no major medical emergencies or water rescues in January. Larger swells and strong currents carved out some parts of the dune along the shoreline. Many surfcasting fisherman were posted along the water especially near South Beach Park. The ocean water temperature continued to drop and is now in the upper 60’s.

All swimmers are advised to pay close attention to beach condition signs and flags, swim near lifeguard towers and avoid swimming during non-guarded hours.

Areas of Progress

With help from Idea Garden, Waldo’s, Minuteman Press, Coastal Technology Corporation, Hoos Architects, Mills Short Engineers, Farrow Construction, City of Vero Beach Recreation Department, and City Council, VBLA’s goal of giving our lifeguards the ability to see more of the beach and react to emergencies faster by building a lifeguard tower and command center at Humiston Park is progressing.

Areas of Concern

Florida Department of Health closed Sexton, Humiston and South Beach Parks during the last few days of January due to high levels of bacteria in the water.

Whenever beaches are closed due to large surf, sharks or other emergencies, it is strongly advised that the public stay out of the water due to the dangerous conditions or the absence of lifeguards.

Key

Park Attendance: an estimated count of park attendees to include boardwalks within each park and areas immediately north and south of each park

Preventative Actions: stopping potential incidents before they occur

Minor Medicals: a medical incident which is treated on-site by lifeguard/EMT personnel

Major Medicals: a medical incident that required Emergency Medical Services

Rescues: Any water related emergency to include rip current rescues, fatigued swimmers, surfing, kite boarding and/or boating accidents.

About VBLA

This report is furnished by the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, a non-profit, 501C3 organization. Its mission is to promote water safety and lifeguarding in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities. Contact us at VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com or (908)797-8725. Visit us at www.VBLA.org. Donations are appreciated. Monies raised are used to purchase equipment, supplies, and training for the lifeguards from the city of Vero Beach. Please send donations to: VBLA, 1351 White Heron Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

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Nikki Kalin

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