The Jersey shore prepares for Hurricane Earl

From boaters to surfers, people all along the New Jersey shore are getting ready for Hurricane Earl to hit.

The Coast Guard says many boaters may not want to venture out until the storm goes by.

John Shary operates a charter boat and is keeping it tied up at the dock in Point Pleasant Beach.

“Yeah we’re losing five trips this week because of it,” he says. “We already cancelled five trips.  We’ll be sitting at the dock and at home watching TV instead of out fishing, you know?”

Lifeguards say there are plenty of rip currents that pose a danger for swimmers.  That didn’t keep Point Pleasant resident Eric Banse from taking his surf board into the ocean, hoping to catch some good waves.

“It’s just a thrill and it’s kind of addicting, you know what I mean?” he says. “Once you learn how to catch them it just gets addicting. I think it’s kind of peaceful to be honest.”

Emergency management officials say hurricanes are nothing to laugh at and are prepared to act in case the storm causes any serious problems.