Helene's Blog

EAST HAMPTON PRESS

August 23, 2017     Page A 16

Conditions Lead To Fast Finishes In Eighth Annual Red Devil Swim

"Aidan Forst, left, won the half-mile and Ethan McCormac won the quarter-mile races at the Red Devil Open Water Swim on Saturday at Atlantic Avenue Beach in Amagansett. The PEACE beach towel blankets were donated to EHVOR by Natural Life."       Photo by Helene Forst.

Article by Drew Budd "A heavy west to east sweep along the south shore of the East End, coupled with a decent breeze, helped swimmers finish the eighth annual Red Devil Swim in Amagansett quickly on Saturday. Since the open water swim is a fundraiser for East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue, specific times aren’t that big of a deal, but EHVOR chief T.J. Calabrese said that with the first race beginning around 5:15 p.m., the final competitor of all three races was in by no later than 6 p.m. Usually the three races on the day are set apart by 20 minutes, but because they were getting done so fast, there was a 15-minute break between the first and second race and a 10-minute break between the second and third.  “The first person out of the water of the mile race was in under 20 minutes. That’s unbelievable,” Calabrese said. Amagansett’s own Tom McGlade won the first race, which was the mile, while Aidan Forst won the half mile race and Ethan McCormac won the quarter mile race. There were 70 swimmers total; 22 in both the mile and half mile, 26 in the quarter. All races began at Indian Wells Beach and wrapped up at Atlantic Avenue Beach. Calabrese said that even though the races were done quickly there were some challenging conditions with some rough surf and crowded beaches. With EHVOR running the show there were plenty of lifeguards on hand assisting with the race. There were guards on jet skis setting up the buoys along the beach, guards on paddleboards and a number of guards in the water along with the swimmers for assistance."      

Fighting Chance hosted a swim fundraiser on Saturday, July 8th, at Havens Beach in Sag Harbor. The start time was 7 am. Swimmers of all ages were welcome to swim either a half-mile, full-mile, or two-mile course set up by members from East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue. The entry fee was $75 per person and $50 for children under the age of 12.  All proceeds will benefit local East End cancer patients and their families.

Fighting Chance hosted a swim fundraiser on Saturday, July 8th, at Havens Beach in Sag Harbor. The start time was 7 am. Swimmers of all ages were welcome to swim either a half-mile, full-mile, or two-mile course set up by members from East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue. The entry fee was $75 per person and $50 for children under the age of 12.  All proceeds will benefit local East End cancer patients and their families.

On Saturday, July 22nd, there will be an open water swim at Ditch Plains Beach.  This event offers a rare opportunity to swim in an ocean open-water race on the beautiful East End of Long Island. There will be three distance categories to ensure that swimmers of all ages and abilities can participate. The race is organized by members from East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue Squad.  All proceeds benefit the Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation.

Distance Categories:

1/2 mile - $25 (in advance) $40 (day of)

1 mile - $40 (in advance) $55 (day of)

5K - $55 (in advance) $70 (day of)

The top fundraiser will win an Xterra wetsuit!!!!

Start time - 7 am

Register in advance at:  www.active.com Keyword Montauk Playhouse

EHVOR is comprised of volunteer Suffolk County Certified Ocean Lifeguards who respond to 911 dispatched emergencies year-round in East Hampton

www.easthamptonoceanrescue.org

     

On Saturday, October 15th, 2017, Surfers Healing, an organization that travels around the United States offering children with special needs, specifically those with autism, the opportunity to experience the wonders and magic of surfing in the ocean, will visit our East End at Ditch Plains in Montauk.

Members of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue will be in force to volunteer their time for this amazing event. From 8 am to 2:30 pm, they will assist the children onto surfboards or transport them by jet ski out to some of the most talented surfers waiting to take them for the ride of their life.

Surfers Healing is making a difference in the lives of families and kids living with autism and other special needs.

Thinking in ones is where an effective change takes place.

One day at the beach, making a difference, one ride at a time!

On Saturday, July 22nd, there will be an open water swim at Ditch Plains Beach.  This event offers a rare opportunity to swim in an ocean open-water race on the beautiful East End of Long Island. There will be three distance categories to ensure that swimmers of all ages and abilities can participate. The race is organized by members from East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue Squad.  All proceeds benefit the Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation.

Distance Categories:

1/2 mile - $25 (in advance) $40 (day of)

1 mile - $40 (in advance) $55 (day of)

5K - $55 (in advance) $70 (day of)

The top fundraiser will win an Xterra wetsuit!!!!

Start time - 7 am

Register in advance at:  www.active.com Keyword Montauk Playhouse

EHVOR is comprised of volunteer Suffolk County Certified Ocean Lifeguards who respond to 911 dispatched emergencies year-round in East Hampton

www.easthamptonoceanrescue.org

     

 

On Thursday, July 20th, 2017, the annual East Hampton Main Beach Lifeguard Tournament will take place starting at 4 pm.

 

On Thursday, July 20th, 2017, the annual East Hampton Main Beach Lifeguard Tournament will take place starting at 4 pm.

On Saturday, October 15th, 2017, Surfers Healing, an organization that travels around the United States offering children with special needs, specifically those with autism, the opportunity to experience the wonders and magic of surfing in the ocean, will visit our East End at Ditch Plains in Montauk.

Members of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue will be in force to volunteer their time for this amazing event. From 8 am to 2:30 pm, they will assist the children onto surfboards or transport them by jet ski out to some of the most talented surfers waiting to take them for the ride of their life.

Surfers Healing is making a difference in the lives of families and kids living with autism and other special needs.

Thinking in ones is where an effective change takes place.

One day at the beach, making a difference, one ride at a time!

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    Members of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue

This year, National Beach Safety Week and Rip Current Awareness Week begins on Sunday, June 4^th and ends on June 11^th, the following Sunday.  Our waters can be a wonderful recreational resource, but they can also be treacherous. Lifeguards are provided in an effort to reduce the number of accidents at our local beaches, but we cannot do the job alone. An informed public is essential to maintaining adequate levels of beach and water safety. The objective of National Beach Safety Week is to make citizens aware of the need to be safe while in and near the water with special emphasis on the hazards associated with Rip Currents.

United States Lifeguard Association’s Top Ten Safety Tips:

Learn to Swim – Promote the YMCA and the Junior Lifeguard Program. Swim Near a Lifeguard. Swim with a Buddy. Check with the Lifeguards on daily conditions. Obey Posted Signs and Flags – And know your location for 911 calls. Keep the Beach and Water Clean – What you pack in, pack out! Learn Rip Current Safety. Enter Water Feet First. Wear a Life Jacket when appropriate or mandated. Use Sunscreen and Drink Plenty of Water.

 United States Lifesaving Association Lightning Safety Guidelines:

• Beaches and bodies of water do not offer protection from lightning. Every year, lightning strikes and kills people on or near bodies of water. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur during the summer season. As a rule, lightning occurs most frequently within 10 miles of a thunderstorm, but bolts of lightning can travel as far as 20 miles away from the thunderstorm.
• “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”

• Stop all activities and seek shelter in a solid building or hard-topped vehicle.
• Wait 30 minutes after storm to resume activities.

Rip Current Survival Tips:

Rip Currents can be killers. They are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents and always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards.  

• Never Swim alone.
• Be cautious at all times. If in doubt, don’t go out!
• Swim at a lifeguarded beach whenever possible.
• Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
• If caught in a rip, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
• Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current, parallel to the shoreline.
• If unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
• If still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by facing the shore, waving your arms, and yelling for help.
• If you see a distressed swimmer, get help from a lifeguard or have someone call
• 9-1-1. Throw the victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape.

 Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current. The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), a national non-profit organization, and your local chapter, Hampton Lifeguard Association (HLA), are dedicated to improving beach safety in America. Check out our website at: 

 http://www.easthamptonoceanrescue.org

 Lifeguards for life!

 

    Members of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue

This year, National Beach Safety Week and Rip Current Awareness Week begins on Sunday, June 4^th and ends on June 11^th, the following Sunday.  Our waters can be a wonderful recreational resource, but they can also be treacherous. Lifeguards are provided in an effort to reduce the number of accidents at our local beaches, but we cannot do the job alone. An informed public is essential to maintaining adequate levels of beach and water safety. The objective of National Beach Safety Week is to make citizens aware of the need to be safe while in and near the water with special emphasis on the hazards associated with Rip Currents.

United States Lifeguard Association’s Top Ten Safety Tips:

Learn to Swim – Promote the YMCA and the Junior Lifeguard Program. Swim Near a Lifeguard. Swim with a Buddy. Check with the Lifeguards on daily conditions. Obey Posted Signs and Flags – And know your location for 911 calls. Keep the Beach and Water Clean – What you pack in, pack out! Learn Rip Current Safety. Enter Water Feet First. Wear a Life Jacket when appropriate or mandated. Use Sunscreen and Drink Plenty of Water.

 United States Lifesaving Association Lightning Safety Guidelines:

• Beaches and bodies of water do not offer protection from lightning. Every year, lightning strikes and kills people on or near bodies of water. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur during the summer season. As a rule, lightning occurs most frequently within 10 miles of a thunderstorm, but bolts of lightning can travel as far as 20 miles away from the thunderstorm.
• “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”

• Stop all activities and seek shelter in a solid building or hard-topped vehicle.
• Wait 30 minutes after storm to resume activities.

Rip Current Survival Tips:

Rip Currents can be killers. They are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents and always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards.  

• Never Swim alone.
• Be cautious at all times. If in doubt, don’t go out!
• Swim at a lifeguarded beach whenever possible.
• Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
• If caught in a rip, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
• Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current, parallel to the shoreline.
• If unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
• If still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by facing the shore, waving your arms, and yelling for help.
• If you see a distressed swimmer, get help from a lifeguard or have someone call
• 9-1-1. Throw the victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape.

 Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current. The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), a national non-profit organization, and your local chapter, Hampton Lifeguard Association (HLA), are dedicated to improving beach safety in America. Check out our website at: 

 http://www.easthamptonoceanrescue.org

 Lifeguards for life!