Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Monthly Beach Report – December 2017

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 67,862

Preventative Actions 988

Minor Medicals 13

Major Medicals 0

Rescues 1

Average Water Temperature 70

Beach Erosion Fluctuating

Stinging Marine Life Low

General Conditions

Powerful tides and storms have shifted sand and seaweed on and off the beach during the month of December.  Water temperatures have dropped to the upper 60’s to low 70’s.  Royal Terns and other “snowbirds” have arrived.    Attendance was strong during the end of December with attendance reaching over 67,000 patrons in and around the three guarded beaches of Vero.  Lifeguards rescued a father and son stuck in a rip current at Jaycee Park bringing the total number of water rescues to 19 in 2017.  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

The City of Vero Beach is repairing and replacing beach structures and equipment damaged by Irma and many citizens and organizations have taken it upon themselves to conduct additional beach clean ups.          

Areas of Concern

As beach attendance grows, more and more people are outside the guarded areas posing a challenge for lifeguards. There have been numerous complaints about the beach grooming efforts performed by the subcontractor hired by the City of Vero Beach.  City officials are working with the subcontractor to improve the effort.  The blue recycle bins 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.

Nikki Kalin
Latest posts by Nikki Kalin (see all)