ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK TO HAVE LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY AT MAIN
SWIMMING AREA EVERY WEEKEND THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

(18/P076) TRENTON – Extended swimming and lifeguard service will be available every weekend this month at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County for visitors enjoying the final weeks of summer, the State Park Service announced.

Lifeguards will be on duty after Labor Day, Sept. 3, at Swimming Area 1 beaches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 7-9, 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30.

The DEP and National Weather Service urge the public to be cautious and swim only at lifeguarded beaches during the remaining weeks of summer since many municipally operated beaches have reduced lifeguard operations after Labor Day weekend. Swimming is not permitted at state parks unless lifeguards are on duty.

“Lifeguard service continues at Island Beach State Park after Labor Day while the weather and water are ideal for swimming, and crowds are smaller,” Parks and Forestry Director Olivia Glenn said. “Our lifeguards are there weekends throughout September to make sure visitors have a safe and enjoyable time swimming, or just relaxing at the beach.”

While Island Beach State Park is open daily for visitors to enjoy the beach, swimming is permitted only when and where lifeguards are on duty.

As a reminder, rip currents are the leading cause of ocean drownings across the nation, and beach visitors are encouraged to follow these tips:

• Read and heed signs at beaches warning about the dangers of rip currents, which pull people away from shore. Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore cannot keep themselves afloat and swim to shore. This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion or lack of swimming skills.
• When caught in a rip current, stay calm and swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can’t make it to the shore, draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.
• If you see someone in trouble in a rip current, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1. Rip currents can be stronger than the strongest swimmer. Throw the swimmer something that floats, such as a lifejacket, raft, cooler or inflatable ball and stay on shore and in contact with that person until help arrives. Do not become a victim of the rip current yourself.

For more information on Island Beach State Park, including any park advisories that may be posted, visit www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html.

For more information on rip currents from the National Weather Service, visit www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/.

Like the New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NewJerseyStateParks/.

Follow the New Jersey State Park Service on Instagram @newjerseystateparks.

Follow the DEP on Twitter @NewJerseyDEP.

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