Going to the beach...

[Carolyn1717]

I'm sure some of you know this, but for those who don't: If you are planning on going to the beach while visiting us here are 2 tips you may want to be aware of....

Red Flag Warning: Rip Tides
Purple Flag Warning: Marine life close to shore which could be jelly fish or sharks sighted close to shore.

You'll see these flags along the beaches.

 

[elabron]

I'm sure some of you know this, but for those who don't: If you are planning on going to the beach while visiting us here are 2 tips you may want to be aware of....

Red Flag Warning: Rip Tides
Purple Flag Warning: Marine life close to shore which could be jelly fish or sharks sighted close to shore.

You'll see these flags along the beaches.

Thanks for the tip. I knew about the red flag, but not the purple. :lookaroun

We loved Vero Beach Resort last year, but none of us would get too far out in the H2O because we had heard about the large number of sharks in recent years.

 

[Carolyn1717]

Largest numbers seem to be in New Smyrna. One poor 8 year old got bit on the foot by a shark about 2 weeks ago and he was only in knee deep water. Scary.........

 

[palmage]

Come to the west coast of Florida, we don't need those stinking flags.
:ROFLOL::animwink:

 

[smk]

Come to the west coast of Florida, we don't need those stinking flags.
:ROFLOL::animwink:

While I love the west coast of Florida, I was very surprised by the "red tide" I encountered two summers ago. I would get anywhere near the ocean and I would start coughing my head off. I do not have asthma but I felt like I did, I guess I must be allergic to the algea? Or...is it the algea pollinating?

 

[Greg34]

I've never been to a beach in Brevard County (east coast, or the space coast) and not seen a red flag flying. Only once or twice have I seen a purple flag.

 

[maryszhi]

thanks, i mean i knew that, but its great to post bc some people dont know and one always wants to be safe while on vacation, especially in water and at the beach

 

[elizs77]

Largest numbers seem to be in New Smyrna. One poor 8 year old got bit on the foot by a shark about 2 weeks ago and he was only in knee deep water. Scary.........

I'm sorry to hear about your son. Glad to hear he's okay!

We used to go to Ormond Beach on vacation quite often (my grandparents stayed in the same hotel for more than 30 years!). I remember hearing about shark sightings/bites a lot at New Smyrna. I've always wondered if its proximity to Ponce Inlet and that waterflow/food supply/temperature has any effect. I once heard that inlets are popular for sharks.

Anyway, the only place I've ever been stung by a jellyfish has been Florida, but I've seen more in SC than on my FL trips.

Thanks for the flag info! I didn't know about purple.

 

[MissM]

While I love the west coast of Florida, I was very surprised by the "red tide" I encountered two summers ago. I would get anywhere near the ocean and I would start coughing my head off. I do not have asthma but I felt like I did, I guess I must be allergic to the algea? Or...is it the algea pollinating?

Asthmatic and other respiratory upset and distress is common with red tide. The 2005 season was generally considered the worst in recorded history here in the Clearwater/St. Pete area of Florida.

"Brevetoxins can also irritate eyes and respiratory systems when the toxins become airborne in sea spray; the irritation disappears once a person is no longer exposed."
(Source)
​

More information on red tide and asthma specifically is here.

And you can track the current red tide situation here: http://www.floridamarine.org/features/view_article.asp?id=9670

Hope that helps,
-m

 

[Carolyn1717]

Just to let you know the seriousness of the warnings, another young girl was bitten on the foot yesterday, 4/20, by a shark. So please heed the warnings if you plan on going to the beaches.

Don't mean to scare anyone away from our beaches, just be aware of what is going on around you. I know alot of guests from the mid-west have never seen the ocean before and make this stop part of their trip. Again, just be aware and watch for the flags.

 

[elizs77]

We used to go to Ormond Beach on vacation quite often (my grandparents stayed in the same hotel for more than 30 years!). I remember hearing about shark sightings/bites a lot at New Smyrna. I've always wondered if its proximity to Ponce Inlet and that waterflow/food supply/temperature has any effect. I once heard that inlets are popular for sharks.

I know I'm quoting myself here, but here's the news story about the latest shark bite:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla — Beach Patrol officials say a shark nipped a 14-year-old's right foot while the New Smyrna Beach girl was surfing.
Captain Scott Petersohn says the girl — whose name hasn't been released — has cuts and puncture wounds.
The shark bit her while she was surfing around the Ponce de Leon Inlet yesterday morning.
Petersohn says the teen was treated on the beach, then her father took her to a hospital.

 

[Carolyn1717]

I know I'm quoting myself here, but here's the news story about the latest shark bite:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla — Beach Patrol officials say a shark nipped a 14-year-old's right foot while the New Smyrna Beach girl was surfing.
Captain Scott Petersohn says the girl — whose name hasn't been released — has cuts and puncture wounds.
The shark bit her while she was surfing around the Ponce de Leon Inlet yesterday morning.
Petersohn says the teen was treated on the beach, then her father took her to a hospital.

New Smyrna Beach is notorious for sharks. You really have to be alert when you are in the water. This young girl was on a surfboard, the little 8 year old last week was only in knee deep water....