Swimming season opens in Big Apple without full staff of lifeguards

Marie Pohl, Dean Balsamini
·2 min read
A composite photo of lifeguards and sunbathers at Coney Island.
City beaches were short on lifeguards but long on fun in the sun as swimming season officially kicked off Saturday in the Big Apple.

Don’t worry, beach happy!

City beaches were short on lifeguards but long on fun in the sun as swimming season officially kicked off Saturday in the Big Apple.

Thousands of sun worshippers and wanna-be Michael Phelpses were out in full force at the city’s eight public beaches, including Coney Island.

Kristy Margaret, 26, left, and a pal enjoy the near-80-degree temperatures. Stephen Yang
Kristy Margaret, 26, left, and a pal enjoy the near-80-degree temperatures. Stephen Yang

Among those celebrating the unofficial start of summer was Vadim, 39, a small business owner from Prospect Lefferts Garden, who enjoys beach volleyball. “The beach is great, the weather is great. Everything is great,” he rejoiced.

The specter of last year’s shark frenzy loomed over the otherwise bright outing.

Jay Duran, 35, a technician from North Jersey, was cooling off in the water in Brighton Beach with his partner Savannah Duran, 28, a medical assistant.

The pair did not realize there were no lifeguards on duty at the section of the beach where they were swimming, which Jay quipped could be because “they’re afraid of sharks.”

Vlad Kim, 37, left, and Igor Borzov, 30, of Brooklyn get some exercise in. Stephen Yang
Vlad Kim, 37, left, and Igor Borzov, 30, of Brooklyn get some exercise in. Stephen Yang

The fear of sharks was strong enough to keep Duran’s sister at home on Saturday, Jay noted.

Coney Island local Yanni Bocharov, 39, said he wasn’t sweating the possibility of running into any apex predators.

“You’re better off getting a lottery ticket than running into a shark in the ocean,” he said.

Coney Island patrons enjoy a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk. Stephen Yang
Coney Island patrons enjoy a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk. Stephen Yang
Jay Duran, 35, and Savannah Duran, 28, strike a pose at Coney Island. Stephen Yang
Jay Duran, 35, and Savannah Duran, 28, strike a pose at Coney Island. Stephen Yang

Despite the smiles, not all beaches were completely open for swimming, as the city has only secured a little over one-third of the necessary lifeguards.

Parks officials said earlier this week that the city only had hired just 260 of the 600 lifeguards necessary to staff the Big Apple’s 14 miles of beaches. That left portions of Orchard Beach in the Bronx, Coney Island and Manhattan beaches in Brooklyn, Rockaway Beach in Queens and Midland, South, Cedar Grove and Wolfe’s Pond beaches on Staten Island unguarded.

Not all beaches were completely open for swimming as the city has only secured a little over one-third of the necessary lifeguards. Stephen Yang
Not all beaches were completely open for swimming as the city has only secured a little over one-third of the necessary lifeguards. Stephen Yang

The city also announced its slightly lowering its qualifications for lifeguards at kiddie pools as it still struggles with summer staffing of water rescuers in the Big Apple.

The beaches will remain open through Sept. 8. The city’s 79 outdoor pools are scheduled to open June 27.