OCEAN CITY, Md. (WBOC) - The Ocean City Beach Patrol is continuing to warn swimmers of potential rip currents this Labor Day weekend.
Beach Patrol Lieutenant Ward Kovacs said tropical storm Cristobaul churned up the waters in the Atlantic, causing ocean swells that make for rough surf and a high risk for rip currents all along the Atlantic Coast.
"Rip currents can occur wherever the ocean meets the beach. Whether you're going to the beach in Lewes, Rehoboth, Assateauge, just please be careful and look for a guarded area," Kovacs said.
The Beach Patrol has a motto for beachgoers: "Keep your toes in the sand, until a lifeguard is in the stand."
The Cron family from Pennsylvania were visiting Ocean City for the week. This was their second year taking the vacation. This time around, they decided to stay out of the water.
"We are afraid with our kids. We don't want them going in the water," said Jeffrey Cron. "There were about four saves from the lifeguard today since we've been here, and we've been here for about an hour."
The beach patrol urgers swimmers to always stay near a lifeguard and ask the lifeguard if they have any questions about the water or possible rip currents. They tell swimmers that if they ever get caught in a rip current, they should swim parallel to the shore and call for help.
This week, there were swimming restrictions in place because of the rough surf. Swimmers were not allowed more than waist-deep in the water.
The Beach Patrol reported 32 rescues Wednesday and 30 Thursday.
The potentially dangerous swimming conditions didn't stop Marge Joyce and her family from making a last minute trip to the beach before school starts on Tuesday.
"I was going to visit my cousin but he ended up going to Baltimore so we decided to come to the beach instead," said Joyce, of Pennsylvania. "I didn't get in the water, but the kids did."
Things are looking up, the Beach Patrol says they are expecting a calmer, beautiful labor day weekend at the beach.
