AVALON – Beach patrols in many shore communities traditionally juggle staffing lifeguards as school starts. The task is getting harder.
Keeping beaches guarded before Labor Day Weekend has become increasingly difficult. The number of lifeguards each community can hire at the start of the season has been dwindling in recent years.
Beach patrol officials in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Cape May have commented on the smaller number of applicants and returning guards. In Stone Harbor, a pay increase effective Aug. 1 was passed as an incentive for guards to stay longer.
At the Avalon Borough Council meeting Aug. 28, Business Administrator Scott Wahl urged residents to check the borough’s website for closed beaches due to the staffing shortage. The website posted four beaches closed for lack of guards Aug. 29. They were 38th, 57th, 65th, and 73rd streets.
Avalon – This economy is tough for everyone. Think I might have to sell my beach house! A good problem, but still forced.
