Jersey Shore Lifeguards Warn of Rip Current Danger Following Two Tragic Deaths
Lifeguards along the Jersey Shore are once again urging beachgoers to take rip current warnings seriously after two separate drowning deaths occurred on Monday, one in New Jersey and one in New York.
In Seaside Heights, New Jersey, tragedy struck when a 31-year-old man lost his life while trying to help others caught in a dangerous rip current.
Jersey Shore Lifeguards Warn of Rip Current Danger Following Two Tragic Deaths
The man’s 16-year-old son and three additional swimmers were rescued from the water. Officials say the incident happened on an unguarded beach, highlighting the risks of swimming without lifeguard supervision.
That same day, in Manhattan Beach, New York, a 77-year-old woman also drowned in what authorities suspect was another rip current incident.
Both cases serve as sobering reminders of the hidden dangers rip currents present even when conditions appear calm.
What Are Rip Currents?
Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow away from the shore. They can occur at any beach with breaking waves including the Jersey Shore. While they often form near jetties, piers, or sandbars, they can also appear unexpectedly along open stretches of sand.
These currents move at speeds of up to eight feet per second, faster than even Olympic swimmers can sprint.
Because they flow away from the beach, rip currents can quickly carry swimmers far from shore, often leading to panic and exhaustion.
Why They’re So Dangerous
Many people underestimate rip currents because the water’s surface can look deceptively calm. Swimmers often mistake the absence of waves in a rip current channel as a safe area to enter, when in reality, that gap in breaking waves is a sign of the current’s pull.
Lifeguards say panic is often the biggest danger. Swimmers who try to fight the current by swimming directly back to shore against its pull can tire quickly.
In severe cases, this exhaustion can lead to drowning.
Recent Conditions at the Jersey Shore
According to weather forecasters, the risk for rip currents at the Jersey Shore this week is lower than it was last week, when high surf and storms churned up the coastline.
However, “lower risk” does not mean “no risk.” Even on sunny days with small waves, rip currents can still form unexpectedly.
Some factors contributing to rip current development include changing tides, offshore storms, and shifting sandbars. Summer’s warmer waters and increased beach crowds mean more swimmers are exposed to potential danger.
Safety Tips from Lifeguards
Local lifeguards are urging beachgoers to follow these precautions:
- Swim at guarded beaches only. Lifeguards are trained to recognize rip currents and perform rescues quickly.
- Know the signs of a rip current. Look for channels of churning or discolored water, a noticeable break in wave patterns, or foam and debris moving steadily offshore.
- If caught in a rip current, don’t panic. Float or tread water and signal for help by waving your arms.
- Swim parallel to the shore to escape the current’s pull before attempting to swim back to land.
- Keep children close and supervised at all times, especially near the waterline.
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Why Unguarded Beaches Are Especially Risky
The fatal incident in Seaside Heights occurred on a beach where no lifeguards were present.
Without trained personnel to monitor conditions, swimmers are less likely to recognize danger until it’s too late. In emergencies, precious minutes can be lost before help arrives.
Authorities strongly advise against swimming after lifeguard hours or at unguarded stretches of shoreline even for strong swimmers. Conditions can change in seconds, and self-rescue from a rip current is challenging, even for experienced water athletes.
A Shared Responsibility
While lifeguards, weather agencies, and local officials work hard to issue rip current alerts, staying safe ultimately depends on public awareness.
Educational programs, beach signage, and media coverage all play a role in reminding visitors to respect the ocean’s power.
Monday’s twin tragedies in Seaside Heights and Manhattan Beach are painful reminders that rip currents can be deadly, regardless of age, swimming ability, or weather conditions.
By choosing guarded beaches, learning how to identify rip currents, and knowing what to do if caught in one, beachgoers can enjoy the surf with confidence — and greatly reduce the risk of becoming the next victim.
And do yourself a favor. The next time you go to the beach, thank our amazing lifeguards. They do everything in their power to make sure we are able to swim safely.
Pro-Tip, give them a $5 gift card to Wawa, just saying!