Spring breakers are not the only people hitting the beaches in Destin – Destin Beach Safety is manning up with about 50 guards.
Although the influx of spring breakers started around the first of March, Destin Beach Safety lifeguards did not go into service until March 14.
“Right now, we have about 50 lifeguards … that includes returners,” said Destin Beach Safety Lt. Maureen (Mo) Abeita.
Beach safety taught a class of new guards, 15 people, the week of March 16, and will be teaching another five or six the weekend of March 20-21.
The instructions include learning about the station, what to expect, how to do water rescues, and how to be a beach lifeguard in Destin, Abeita said, noting there is medical to learn as well.
“But we are always looking for more,” Abeita said.
For the spring, Destin Beach Safety runs six zones, and two patrolling officers.
“But once Memorial weekend hits, that’s when all our chairs go up,” Abeita said.
There will be 20 chairs along the beach on the Gulf side. Plus, four additional guards at the Pass, including the jet skis.
The lifeguards have a little more than seven miles of beach to cover. Their territory spans from Capt. Dave’s on the Gulf Restaurant at the Okaloosa/Walton County line to Norriego Point near the Destin Marler Bridge.
“We split the beach into six sections,” Abeita said.
For example, from the east end of Henderson Beach State Park to Pompano Street in Zone 4. Then, from Pompano Street to the county line is another zone.
Right now, the guards are in service from 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. daily.
However, once Memorial weekend hits, the guards will do a split schedule to put more workforce on the beach, and they will be in service from 7:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.
First week back
“This week we’ve had a couple of calls, but very minor,” Abeita said, noting they had a kayaker who flipped.
But overall, it’s been quiet.
“The cold helped,” she said.
The temperatures were in the mid-50s and 60s to start the week of March 16.
From March 14 through March 19, Destin had 30,245 people on the beach. And Destin guards were able to do 841 preventative actions, and three rescues.
Preventative actions are all about making people aware.
Know the flags
And now that the guards are on the beach, the beach flags are in effect.
“We are able to enforce and educate about the flags,” Abeita said, noting they will be flying daily.
The yellow flag signifies a moderate hazard.
“Proceed with caution, swim to the best of your ability and know your limits,” Abeita said.
A single red flag means dangerous surf, and rip currents are present.
“So, knee deep is too deep,” she said.
“We will proactively point out rip currents when they are present … to stay clear of them and how to get out of them,” Abeita said.
A double red flag means the water is closed – dry sand only.
“This week it has been pretty yellow … mellow yellow for the week,” Abeita said.
“My biggest job is to provide public education. We are here to educate, advise and then respond as needed,” Abeita said.
“Preventative actions, that’s our number one job,” she said.
“If they see us on the beach, flag us down. We are more than willing to answer any questions,” she said.
For more information about beach safety or what the color flag of the day is on Destin beaches, visit Destin Beach Safety on Facebook or Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Destin Log: Destin beach safety prepares for spring break
Reporting by Tina Harbuck, The Destin Log / The Destin Log
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
