Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Monthly Beach Report March 2018

Vero Beach Lifeguard Association

Monthly Beach Report

Jaycee Park / Humiston Park / South Beach Park

March 2018

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 95,100

Preventative Actions 1132

Minor Medicals 7

Major Medicals 4

Rescues 10

Average Water Temperature 74

Beach Erosion Fluctuating

Stinging Marine Life Minimal

General Conditions

March attendance records were broken with over 95,000 people enjoying our beaches within and immediately outside our guarded beach areas. The previous March attendance record was set in March 2015 with 90,000 beach patrons. Strong rip currents formed causing lifeguards to perform 10 water rescues bringing the total number of people saved to 16 in 2018. The ocean temperature is slowly rising to the mid 70’s. Far less Atlantic Portuguese Man of War were spotted drastically cutting the number of stings from last month. Beach erosion was minimal. Turtle nesting season has started (March 1 – October 31) Northern Gannet (seabirds) have been spotted on our shores. Northern Gannets are very large with white feathers, black primaries and long pointed wings. The juveniles are gray. Gannets dive for fish and squid, soar to great heights and are found along the Atlantic coast of North America. Often seen from shore, they also may be found far from shore in the open ocean. Gannets breed on the coasts of extreme north eastern Canada and winter from Maine to just south of the Texas-Mexico border along Atlantic and Gulf coasts. More than a few gray juveniles have been found dead or “injured” on our shores. Do not approach an injured or sick bird. Notify a lifeguard or police. 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 tens of thousands of people enjoying our beaches, many patrons have been paying attention to beach condition signs, asking lifeguards about the water and staying safe.
Vero Beach Police Animal Control have been stepping up enforcement of unauthorized dogs on the beach.

Areas of Concern

As beach attendance grows, more and more people are outside the guarded areas increasing the likelihood of accidents and drownings. Dog owners continue to bring dogs on the beach violating City ordinances. The blue recycle bins and some waste receptacles have not been placed back on the beach since Hurricane Irma.

Key

Park Attendance: includes 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

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, staffing and training for the lifeguards from the city of Vero Beach.
Please send donations to: VBLA, 1351 White Heron Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

Author
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Nikki Kalin

Nikki Kalin literally has the Treasure Coast, especially Vero Beach as her home and her office. Having grown up and educated in Indian River County Nikki works with a deep knowledge to tend Vero Vine with a continual reach into all the communities of the Treasure Coast. She is in the vineyard virtually every day. Following its growth, nurturing start-ups, longtime roots, and branches of businesses, non-profits, municipalities, and everyday people. Nikki makes certain Vero Vine is connected.

The “real world” is Vero Beach Marketing where Nikki was recruited and is being mentored by Creative Director/ Owner, Stacy Cook. Nikki’s daily efforts include website management, email marketing, newsletter development, and most notably social engagement. Nikki has been instrumental in the deployment for the last two years of the “VeroBeach Marketing Summit” coordinating scheduling for regional and local experts in the digital space. In 2018 Nikki was responsible for the Email Marketing break out session, presenting her experience and insights to an audience of local businesses and professionals.

All of this is on behalf of local business clients and Vero Vine contributors. Nikki curates the good news about events, philanthropic happenings, and all the adventures in the Paradise of Vero Beach and the Treasure Coast. Updating Vero Vine, Vero Beach Foodie, and all of their client’s websites and Socials Nikki Kalin makes sure that the world has everything on Vero Vine within reach.