Police Warn Swimmers of Jersey Shore Riptides

by KYW's Kim Glovas

A deadly weekend at the Jersey shore has local police and beach patrols urging swimmers to use extra caution. 

Two men drowned in Wildwood, New Jersey and one in Atlantic City this weekend. The waves were higher than usual and rougher because of tropical storm Bertha which is 1,000 miles away (read AP story). Chief Bud Johnson of the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol says the result is rip currents:

"When you get caught in these particular rip currents, people who are not familiar with it, try to fight it and, you can't, even a good swimmer can't swim against it, it's just too powerful. The problems are that they do try to swim against these currents and they get tired, then they have potential problems in the surf."

Johnson urges swimmers to swim only in areas where lifeguards are stationed and not in the early morning or evening when guards are off duty. He expects Bertha's effects will stick around for at least another two days.

KYW's Sonia Rincon reports Bertha is stirring up the surf and swimmers are being told to stay out of the water all along the shore.

If you came here to go for a dip in the ocean, it's not happening. there are red 'No Swimming' flags along the beach in Belmar, New Jersey because of the rough surf.

"I am disappointed. We drove all the way up from Ambler."

"I know full price for only half a beach."

(Rincon): "They're letting you go in a little bit right?"

"A little bit. You don't want to be taken out by the waves. This is crazy."

Surfers are being allowed in and Dave Macavoy is being is taking advantage:

"It's rare to see waves this size in the middle of summer so it's nice."

(Rincon): "So you kind of like it when there's a hurricane brewing out there?"

"Oh absolutely. I mean we don't like to see stuff get damaged but if it stays offshore and allows us to have a little fun, we love it."

Lifeguards rescued more than 60 people since last Friday before putting up those red flags.
 

Read more information on rip current safety from the National Weather Service at www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov.