10 rescues in two hours: lifeguards patrol busy beaches as summer starts

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Now that kids are out of school and summer is getting underway, more people are headed to area beaches. But before you jump into the water, it’s important to make sure it’s safe.

While it may have been a nice beach day Wednesday, Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue reported 10 rip current related rescues. Lifeguards say they happened between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

“We started getting this swell coming in and as it builds at the tide change you’ll have rip currents pulling,” said ocean rescue Lt. John Mauney. “And during that time period we had stronger rip currents than normal.”

North Myrtle Beach Ocean Rescue also reported around 15 water rescues related to rip currents this afternoon.

Officials say beachgoers shouldn’t swim on unguarded beaches and, if caught in a current, swim parallel to shore.

WBOR began patrolling the coastline full time as of Memorial Day weekend and will stay in the stands through Labor Day.

Forecasters say there is a moderate rip current risk Thursday.

We will have more tonight on WWAY News.