Boogie boards coming your way.
David Beckham, soccer star, coming at you with his boogie board
This is a copy of a letter sent today, June 28, 2014, to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association which owns and runs the beaches of Ocean Grove.
June 28, 2014
To Whom It May Concern:
I am an active woman in her seventies and a resident of Ocean Grove since 1998. I like to swim in the ocean, but as another season begins my safety is at risk once again by the uncontrolled plethora of boogie boards approaching me from all directions.
There was a time when a roped area controlled this situation, but for several years this has not been in place, nor do the lifeguards assign an area for this activity. I have complained directly to the lifeguards, once when a young man was riding a large boogie board like a surfer. I was told that he knew what he was doing. Thank you.
On the Beach Regulations posted by the Camp Meeting Association under section D: Flotation Devices it states: “Users of these implements must be kept segregated from casual bathers and are therefore not permitted within the central area on the bathing beaches that are delineated by parallel bathing ropes extending seaward.”
Also under B: Prohibited Activities it states: Activity which directly or indirectly endangers the safety of others. That would be me, attempting to enter the ocean by diving under a wave as a boogie board(s) head straight toward my head.
This has got to be corrected. If the ropes are not an option please have the lifeguards just wave or whistle to herd the boogie boarders to a separate area.
If there are other swimmers who feel this way, please contact the Camp Meeting Association.
Yours truly,
Rosaleen Rooney Myers
Proposal: central area on each beach for boogie boarders and swimmers on either side of the ropes. The central area in each beach is smaller than the areas on either side. I understand the safety concerns, but believe that legally, a safe zone could not be enforced. The CMA only owns to the mean high tide line. Everything else is public.
Boogie boarders pay their entrance fee as well. One day, someone will sue for enforcement issue and the boogie boarder will win.
There are none allowed in the south end. The lifeguards were very attentive in directing them out to the middle beach all afternoon today.
Designated boogie board areas are a must. Ocean Grove is probably the only public beach without them these days. They are fun, but also dangerous for non boarders of any age. It just makes sense.
I too remember when the boogie boarders were separate from the swimmers. Why not have the boogie board area be next to the swimming area and have the swimming area so designated by the ropes? It was this way when my children were young and using boogie boards. They were not too far away from my watchful eye.
And having the ropes provided something for new swimmers, older folks, and tired swimmers to hold onto.
For the last few years South End has not permitted boogie boards in the water. Take a little walk and you will be able to enjoy a boogie board free zone.
I agree with the letter and Sue’s comments. When the boarders were in a separate space it was safer for everyone. My particular concern is for the safety of younger children who are wanting to “jump” the waves and be in the ocean while the boarders are flying in—an accident waiting to happen.
I hope separate areas on each swimming beach will be reconsidered and established.
As a mom of three young boogie boarders myself, I understand the concern (as I don’t boogie board and have been bonked by stray boarders while swimming, too). However, I also would be upset if newly enforced regulations meant that my kids can no longer enjoy this fun past-time because their special area was so far away.
As with many things in life, the issue is that kids (and older boogie boarders, too) haven’t been taught the basic rules and common courtesies of wait your turn, find a clear path and swimmers have the right of way that I force my own kids to obey.
Perhaps with the new open area past where the pier used to be, there could be a section in one or two of the southern beaches for boogie boarders to use so they’re not relegated only to the northern “surfers beach?”
Amen sister. I’m much younger and a strong swimmer, but uncontrolled boogie boards stress me out when I’m in the water just lounging around. Many years ago the guards did keep them in a separate section, but now it’s like the Hunger Games – may the strong survive.
Boogie Boards require waves for the most part. I agree that bathers using “objects” should be in there own swim area.
The shorebreak conditions at many beach towns are ideal for this activity. You do not have to go far out to catch them. The way the shore line is contoured these waves big and small dissipate all there energy close to shore. Getting innocently caught riding in on a board or simple body surfing can tumble you and drive you into the beach causing injuries to your extremities or spine. All that extra water on the shore turns can hasten the manufacture of Rip Currents. Best to ask a Life Guard about the waves if your going for a dip and swim cautiously.