Labor Day weekend had packed beaches during the holiday but also a number of unfortunate incidents at the beach.
Of all the things, there was a drowning in Daytona Beach, another man who died in Melbourne Beach, a rash of jellyfish stings. There were also two shark incidents, one in New Smyrna Beach and one in the St. Augustine area.
There was one really good news story, though, about a boater who was swept off his sailboat and was reported missing but managed to swim two miles back to shore. There was also a nice memorial for Frederick Fernandez, the 55-year-old teacher from New Smyrna Beach, who died while surfing in the massive ocean swell created by Hurricane Irene. As a tradition for surfers, many of his friends and fellow surfers paddled out in his memory.
The beaches may be less crowded but there are still warnings out there for swimmers. The National Weather Service has posted a high risk of rip currents, as local beaches continue to get an ocean swell from Hurricane Katia. The hurricane is likely going to stay out at sea, but not before sending big waves our way.
Local surfers may be enjoying the potent waves, but less experienced swimmers should take care. It’s always a good idea to swim near a lifeguard.
