Swimmers at Island Beach State Park will remain protected by lifeguards every weekend through September, state officials announced Thursday.
Island Beach State Park lifeguards will be on duty at Ocean Bathing Area 1 beaches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 through Monday, Sept. 12; Friday, Sept. 16 through Monday, Sept. 19; Friday, Sept. 23 through Monday, Sept. 26; and Friday, Sept. 30.
“Our lifeguards do a great job every year protecting the hundreds of thousands of swimmers and waders who enjoy the waters at the Jersey Shore,” said State Parks and Forestry Director Mark Texel. “We continue this service after Labor Day weekend because many local people enjoy the reduced crowds and fine weather during September at our beaches. As a result, we will have our swimming areas protected on the weekends.”
Both the state Department of Environmental Protection and National Weather Service are urging the public to exercise caution and swim only at lifeguarded beaches now that Labor Day has passed. Many municipally operated beaches have now reduced or ended lifeguard operations for the year.