Lifeguards coming to front beach

Starting Saturday, it may look more like "Baywatch" on Folly's front beach.

Six lifeguards will set up stands from second block East to third block West surrounding the fishing pier — monitoring the water and ensuring swimmers stay safe in the Atlantic Ocean.

The lifeguards will work 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on the weekends until Memorial Day, when they will be on the beach every day until the second or third week of August.

The lifeguards will be trained in ocean water rescue. They are provided by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, which has lifeguards at Folly Beach County Park at the west end of the island, Isle of Palms County Park and Kiawah Beachwalker Park.

According to John VonRosenberg, safety program assistant manager with the commission, the city initially approached the commission about providing lifeguards on the beach.

"We were more than happy to," he said. "A big part of (our) mission is to prevent more injuries and drownings."

The only thing the city will pay for is a shed to store lifeguard equipment on third block West.

City Council heard more about the lifeguards at a work session April 22. Lifeguards must be at least 16 years old and have a lifeguard certification from either the Red Cross or the YMCA, VonRosenberg said.

The lifeguards must pass a physical exam, run one mile in less than eight minutes, swim 500 meters in open water in less than 10 minutes and have 120 hours of ocean rescue training before donning a red bathing suit and climbing the lifeguard stand.

Their duties will be to educate the public about safe swimming rules.

VonRosenberg said lifeguards won't allow swimmers to wade beyond chest-deep water, will warn swimmers when there are strong rip currents and will blow the whistle on potentially dangerous water games, such as chicken fighting and tossing swimmers off others' shoulders.

VonRosenberg said lifeguards can minimally enforce city ordinances, such as ensuring swimmers and surfers stay 100 feet away from the fishing pier.

While they won't have the authority to write tickets, the city will vote on an ordinance to allow them to enforce safe swimming rules.

The lifeguards will be prepared with rescue flotation devices, rescue paddle boards, 11-foot-long surfboards, rescue kayaks, a first-aid kit, oxygen defibrillators, a power ski and four-wheeler.

Folly Mayor Carl Beckmann said he has been in favor of having lifeguards on front beach for years.

In addition to the safety aspect, Beckmann said there are economic benefits. More families will go to the beach area where there are lifeguards, increasing business to nearby Center Street.

VonRosenberg said the commission is pleased to provide the service to Folly Beach.

"We're definitely excited about it. I hope other people are as well," he said.

For more information, call the commission at 762-2172.