Beach season is well underway in America’s largest township and Town of Hempstead ocean lifeguards are out in full force, keeping watch over beachgoers and patrolling the waterways for unwelcome sharks. With a 10-foot mako shark having recently washed ashore at Jones Inlet, a mere stone’s throw away from Town Park Point Lookout, Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin has mobilized the town’s Shark Patrol to ensure complete safety for the patrons of Town of Hempstead beaches. What’s more, Supervisor Clavin was joined by ocean lifeguards and Emergency Medical Technicians, who shared beach safety tips as well as advising patrons on deadly rip currents and how they can escape the “Grip of the Rip.”
“We are expecting to see large crowds at the beach all summer, and it’s important to do everything we can to keep our residents safe,” said Clavin. “Our dedicated team of lifeguards and Bay Constables will be scouring the waters for sharks and will be keeping a close eye on all patrons as they enjoy the pristine oceans of Hempstead Town.”
Town of Hempstead beaches are a popular destination for beach lovers all across Long Island. Already seeing large crowds at town beaches, Supervisor Clavin and the Town Board are proud to welcome beachgoers back to the shores at full capacity. With high demand for safe beach access, Town lifeguards will be fully staffed to keep watch over the beaches with no limitation in service. Town of Hempstead Shark Patrol will be routinely patrolling waterways on personal watercrafts to spot potential dangers as Long Island sees more and more sharks each year. Just recently, a 10-foot mako shark washed ashore at Jones Inlet, a short swim away from Town Park Point Lookout.
“The Town of Hempstead is committed to keeping residents safe while they enjoy the summer at our beautiful beaches,” said Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby.
For the past two years, shark sightings have been on the rise in the Town of Hempstead and across Long Island. Numerous sightings have been recorded at Town of Hempstead beaches, including blacktip and large thresher sharks. Town of Hempstead lifeguards have been proactive in responding to shark sightings, pulling swimmers out of the water while initiating a routine patrol to ensure clear waters before allowing beachgoers back into the water.
“With the recent shark sighting, our lifeguards and shark patrol will be routinely checking the waterways for any dangerous sea life,” said Councilman Anthony D’Esposito. “It’s early in the season for a shark sighting, so we’re keeping our crews on high alert.”
While other municipalities may face reduced beach hours due to a shortage of lifeguards, the Town of Hempstead’s stellar lifeguard team will see no hindrance in coverage. Town of Hempstead lifeguards are among the “best in the business” – throughout their 85 years of service, there has never been a drowning while a Town of Hempstead lifeguard has been on duty. Priding themselves on this statistic, town lifeguards are proactive in educating the public on the dangers of rip currents and distributing helpful brochures that contain important information on how to identify a rip current and what to do if a swimmer is caught in one.
“Town of Hempstead lifeguards are reliable and top-notch. They are highly trained and highly dependable in keeping residents safe,” said Councilman Dennis Dunne, Sr.
Town of Hempstead beaches will be open and staffed with lifeguards all summer through Monday, September 5th. Well-trained ocean lifeguards will be staffed at Town Park Point Lookout, Lido Beach, Lido Beach West and The Sands. Additionally, Town of Hempstead lifeguards will be on duty at the Nassau County-owned Nickerson Beach. The waterfront facilities operate 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The daily parking fee for town residents is $10 per car, $50 per car for non-residents.
“Safety is always a top priority for the Town of Hempstead and our ocean lifeguards do a tremendous job in keeping watch at the town’s beautiful beaches,” said Councilman Thomas Muscarella.
“Rip currents can be deadly and we are fortunate to have knowledgeable lifeguards who know exactly what to look for when protecting Town of Hempstead residents,” said Councilman Chris Carini.
“Sharks are in the water but Town of Hempstead lifeguards are well-equipped and prepared to spot sharks early to properly alert the swimmers in the water,” said Councilwoman Melissa Miller.
