Most lifeguards in N.J. shore towns now off duty

Towns along the Jersey shore are trying to stretch out the summer tourist season with a variety of activities and events. But the time for going to the beach to take a swim might be over.

The captain of Seaside Park’s beach patrol says lifeguards are finished for the season in most shore towns so venturing into the ocean could be a bit risky.

While Hurricane Leslie is still far away, Joe Gomulka says it’s expected to produce dangerous rip currents along the Jersey coast.

“These are major blowouts,” he said. That’s “what we call them where you’re talking 100 to 200 yards offshore. Even the most experienced swimmer is going to get sucked out.

“We’ve seen before small children on the shoreline get knocked over and, poof, they’re gone,” Gomulka said.

Cape May Beach Patrol Captain Buzz Mogck says lifeguards will be on duty there through Sunday, but there are fewer of them since school began.

“We started losing people two weeks ago for school that opened up down South and this week we’re starting to lose school teachers,” he said. “This happens every year. We get our staff cut right down to half.”