Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Beach Report September 2018 - Vero Vine

Monthly Beach Report For

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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 40,484

Preventative Actions 764

Minor Medicals 12

Major Medicals 3

Rescues 1

Average Water Temperature 84

Beach Erosion Moderate

Stinging Marine Life Minimal

General Conditions

Beach attendance was down considerably but typical for this time of year when local students are in school and “snowbirds” have yet to arrive for the season. Seaweed, hurricane swells and afternoon thunderstorms added to the low beach attendance. Even though the aforementioned factors contributed to lower beach attendance, September 2018 beach attendance topped the record “low” attendance set last September (32,000) due in part to the arrival of Hurricane Irma on September 8-11 2017. The ocean water temperature averaged 84 degrees. The swell from Hurricane Florence washed out most of the remaining sea turtle nests. The mullet run is in full swing which attracted larger fish such as tarpon and sharks. Lifeguards closed the water on numerous occasions when larger predatory fish, attracted by the mullet, came too close to shore. Lifeguards responded to 15 medical calls and rescued one swimmer from a rip current in September bringing the total number of water rescues to 26 in 2018.

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

During hurricane swells and large surf, it is strongly advised that the public stay out of the water due to the presence of strong rip currents and a large shore break.

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, fatiqued 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

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.

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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.