Swim at your own risk???
By AngelMary621
@AngelMary621 (20)
United States
July 19, 2011 6:47pm CST
I just came home from a much needed day at the beach. I am new to the upstate NY area. I grew up on Long Island. Where I am from I was surround by salt water. I either would swim in the Atlantic Ocean or the Long Island Sound. We had lifeguards on the beaches in case of emergencies, but after hours there were signs posted "swim at your own risk".
This is only my second beach adventure in the upstate NY area and I found it quite irritating. There were multiple areas marked off in the water that were considered "designated" swim areas. However, people were only allowed to swim in ONE small area. There were probably about 5 lifeguards on the beach and all we heard was their whistle blowing and them yelling at all the swimmers about where to swim. Many of the visitors began to get annoyed because mothers with small children were being told they could not allow their children to play on the shoreline if it was out of the "designated" area.
Now let me just throw in that all three areas could easily be seen by the lifeguards. Making the danger of swimming in one area over the other no less. I also purchased new small floaties for all of the children (all under age 5)because they are just learning to swim and we were not even allowed to bring the floats in the water. It simply took all of the fun out of my childrens beach day.
Opinions?
2 people like this
2 responses
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
21 Jul 11
I don't think that seeing a "Swim at own risk" sign was very off-putting. It is the summer season and I know that a life guard should be placed there. I know that your young children needed to be in a safe shallow area of water with someone on duty. Usually a beach that has swimmers has two flags to show the area the life guard is located. Young children need floats and children need to learn how to swim. There should be many areas safe for swimming watched by a life guard. It was a shame it took the fun out of your trip. Try looking for alternative beaches on the Internet. When I lived in Kent I had many different choices of beaches but this is less so now I live here. Good luck.
@AngelMary621 (20)
• United States
22 Jul 11
That is the crazy thing. Small children need to learn to swim. Most children that are learning especially feel more secure using little swimmers or small tubes. I just felt all of the restrictions were not safety precautions, they were just silly.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
20 Jul 11
Well as for me I would always obey the rules in a beach. If the lifeguards say no swimming in this area or no to this and that I always abide. I always believe they know better than I do because they are more familiar with that beach and they know exactly what their duties are and what is safe for the visitors. I would even appreciate lifeguards who always give warning and always alert to stop those who dare to disobey. I never would ever risk my life and my kids' in places where there is a warning that says like this: "Swim at your risk". I have learned to choose the safest place most specially when I am with my family.
@AngelMary621 (20)
• United States
22 Jul 11
"Swim at your own risk" was never an alarming sign. There were lifeguards on the beaches (especially the ocean), but only until a certain time.
The signs were to let people know that swimming was still allowed but to take the liability off of the town they must make people aware that there is not a lifeguard on duty after a specific time. The water was still safe to swim in.
In this instance, I did not want to disobey the rules of the beach, but felt they were obsurd. A few moms had their 2-3 year old daughters splashing their feet in the water. They were not swimming nor in swim suits. They were told they were not allowed to be in that area because there was not a lifeguard assigned. However, where the lifeguard was sitting on his/her chair could see the area clearly.
I was to the very same beach many times before and actually two days prior and a lifeguard was in the same lifeguard chair and was able to safely watch the entire designated area. Keep in mind this is a lake not an ocean and the swim area possibly as large as a football field. Not a large area at all.
