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Surf City Beach Frequently Asked Questions Page

What is the Surf City Aquatic Plan?
Where are the Lifeguard Stands Located in Surf City?
Why is there only 1 Lifeguard Stand on my beach sometimes?
When are the Lifeguards on Duty?
Can I walk on the Jetty?
What does the Lifeguard's Whistle Mean?
What are "Bathing Only" Beaches?
What are the Flags For?
Can I use my Kayak or Personal Watercraft in Surf City?
Can I Scuba Dive or Spearfish in Surf City?
Where can I Surf Fish in Surf City?
Where Can I Surf in Surf City?
Where is the Bay Beach in Surf City?

What is the Surf City Aquatic Plan?

 The Surf City Aquatic Supervision plan specifies the Lifeguarding and Emergency procedures for Surf City’s 5 bathing-only beaches, fishing/bathing beach, surfing/bathing beach, and bay beach.  This plan is approved by the United States Lifeguarding Association (USLA) and the Long Beach Township Health Department

Where are the Lifeguard Stands Located in Surf City?

Assuming a full compliment of lifeguards, lifeguards stands will be located approximately at S2^nd Street, Division, N2^nd, 4^th, 6^th, 8^th, 10^th, 12^th, 14^th, 16^th, 18^th, 20^th, 22^nd, and 24^th.  Note that the guarded area for all stands except S2^nd and 24^th, the guarded area is between the stands.  For example, the flagged or guarded area of the 4^th-6^th Street beach extends roughly from 4^th to 6^th Street. There are also two lifeguards stands located at 16^th Street and the Bay (Bay Beach).

Why is there only 1 Lifeguard Stand on my beach sometimes?

• If there is a shortage of lifeguards do to illness, school, or other reasons beaches will be reduced to one lifeguard stand centered between the jetties, with the guarded area being reduced in size accordingly.  Beaches are reduced to 1 lifeguard stand in a North to South direction since the Northern beaches are less populated than the Southern ones.  If the beach patrol is short one lifeguard, the 20^th-22^nd Street beach will be reduced to one lifeguard stand located directly off of 21^st Street.  If two lifeguards are missing then the 16^th-18^th Street beach will be reduced to 17^th Street and so on.

When are the Lifeguards on Duty?

• The Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00AM to 5:00PM
• The Lifeguard will signal once long whistle blast at the end of the day to let the bather know that he/she is going off-duty.

Can I walk on the Jetty?

No.  No one is allowed on the jetty.  The jetties (rock groins actually) are generally covered with very slick algae, it's very easy to slip and fall.

What does the Lifeguard's Whistle Mean?

The Lifeguard uses the whistle to get the attention of bathers.  Usually this is to signal the bather to move into the guarded area, or to exit the water and walk back into the guarded area.  One or two short blasts means the action is not serious, long sustained blasts indicate a serious problem.  Please follow the direction of the lifeguard.

What are "Bathing Only" Beaches?

• "Bathing Only" beaches are beaches where only bathing is allowed, no fishing, surfing, or other activities except for rafts and boogie boards, depending on the conditions (see below for further information.)

• The guarded portions of the bathing only beaches exist between Division-N2^nd, 4^th-6^th, 8^th-10^th, 12^th-14^th, 16^th-18^th, and 20^th-22^nd Streets. 
• Flags mark the boundaries of the bathing areas.  Bathers must swim between the flags! 
• Please do not go in the water even to “get wet” outside of the flags.  First, this is a distraction to the lifeguard and could cause him/her to miss a problem within the guarded area, and second, there are often rip currents near the jetties.  You are not only endangering yourself by entering the water outside of the flags, but also the people inside the flags.
• Please obey the lifeguard at all times!  As mentioned above, in many instances your actions may not only endanger you, but others as well.

What are the Flags For?

• The flags designate the guarded area of the beach.  If you go into the ocean you must do so between the flags.

• The flags also tell you what activities are permitted.  See below for more information.

Green Flags

• Swimming, soft rafts (no oars), and soft boogie boards (without fins) are generally allowed to just beyond the breaking waves depending on conditions.

Yellow Flags

• Limited bathing.  No rafts.  Bathing beyond waist deep water may be allowed with swim fins.  Boogie boards may be permitted with fins and a leash depending on conditions.

Red Flags

• No bathing allowed.

Assuming no lateral current, rip currents, sand bars, debris, or other unusual conditions, the lifeguard flags are placed off of the Street ends.   Lifeguards stands are located approximately 50 feet towards the center of the beach.  For example, on the 4^th-6^th Street beach, the 4^th Street lifeguard stand is located approximately 50 feet North of the 4^th Street end and the 6^th Street lifeguard stand is located approximately 50 feet South of the 6^th Street end. 

Can I use my Kayak or Personal Watercraft in Surf City?

• No watercraft other the specific boogie boards and rafts mentioned above will be launched off of any Surf City beach during normal operating hours of 10:00AM-5:00PM.  This includes kayaks, sailboats, jet skis, and any other craft not mentioned above.  Ordinance No. 90-14 Section 15.1

Can I Scuba Dive or Spearfish in Surf City?

• No Scuba diving or spearfishing is permitted in Surf City between the hours of 10:00AM and 5:00PM.

Where can I Surf Fish in Surf City?

• Fishing and only fishing is permitted from the North side of the 23^rd Street jetty to the 24^th Street lifeguard station South flag while the lifeguards are on duty.  The lifeguard will position the flag according to the number of fisherman, bathers, and any other factors that may affect beach operation. 

Where Can I Surf in Surf City?

• Surfing is permitted from the South side of the South 1^st Street jetty to the South 2^nd Street lifeguard station North flag while the lifeguards are on duty.  All surfers must use leashes with their surfboards.  The lifeguard will position the flag according to the number of surfers, bathers, and any other factors that may affect beach operation. 

Where is the Bay Beach in Surf City?

Staff permitting, there shall be one (1) lifeguard in each bay beach lifeguard station at all times.  No bathing shall be permitted outside of the fence perimeter.

• Soft boogie boards without skegs and rafts are permitted in the bay bathing area.

• Plastic oars less than 4 feet in length may be used if the conditions permit (i.e. calm water, area not too crowded).  This is up to the Lifeguard’s and Officer-In-Charge's discretion.

• In accordance with Ordinance 01-12 the carrying or smoking of lighted tobacco products is prohibited within the entire bathing beach located between 15^th and 17^th Streets on Barnegat Avenue.

Surf City Beach Patrol, 813 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City, NJ 08008
Surf City Borough Hall (609) 494-3064  dileomd@comcast.net