Beach Safety Stressed as Seashore Lifeguards Wrap up Season

EASTHAM – Officials with the Cape Cod National Seashore are stressing beach safety as lifeguards prepare to end their season next week.

Labor Day is the final day beaches will be guarded for the 2017 summer season and Seashore officials are reminding visitors that there will be no lifeguards on duty after Monday.

With shark activity on the increase in local waters in recent weeks, rangers are stressing that beachgoers do not swim near seals and to swim close to shore. It is also advised that swimmers, kayakers, and surfers stay in groups. Swimmers are advised not to swim alone at dawn or dusk.

Shark attacks on humans are rare, but one swimmer was bit in Truro in 2012. A man’s paddleboard was bit at Marconi Beach in Wellfleet last week.

Officials also remind beachgoers that dangerous rip tides, undertows, and shore break exist at local beaches.