Renewed concerns about surf zones after weekend drowning

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH -- There are renewed concerns about proposed surf zones at Wrightsville Beach after a drowning there on Friday Twenty-four-year-old Robert Kreager drowned near Augusta Street. Medical examiners say Kreager suffered a spinal injury that caused him to drown. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon from by the Wilmington burial and cremation service. Is a new law forcing surfers to be farther away from life guard stands a safe decision? The new surfing rules were put in place to keep those on the beach safe. Nut could the no surf zones hurt the surfers? Surfers cannot be within 500 feet of Johnnie Mercer's fishing pier or within 100 feet of Crystal Pier or the Masonboro Inlet jetty. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, surfing is prohibited within 100 yards of each lifeguard stand. The law was put in place to remind surfers to respect the space of others on the beach. Ocean rescue says the new law is not putting surfers at risk by being far from the lifeguard. Dave Baker with Ocean Rescue said, "Everybody and anybody when they come to the beach they are always watched, nothing has changed. We still have our roving patrols and we actually have better coverage because we've added two more lifeguard stands." The no surfing areas are marked with flags. In addition to the no surf zones the law requires surfers to always have their board attached to their body with a leash and reckless surfing that could hurt another person is not allowed. For more information about surfing at Wrightsville Beach check with a lifeguard and always be careful.