By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- This weekend is typically one of the busiest at the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona and on the county's beaches to the north and south, stretching some 47 miles but one activity missing in nightly media round-up reports as an approved exercise is swimming.
The beaches are officially closed, but open for exercise. Except now, the term "swimming" is missing from the list of described physical activities in the Beach Safety's nightly summary of the day's activities at the beaches. At least since mid-week when Headline Surfer was the first media outlet followed by WKMG Ch. 6 Orlando to report that a man seen floating face down in the surf Monday turned out to be dead.
xBesides swimming, surfisg and fishing also are no longer listed as allowed exercises, butr they have not been added to prohibited activities on the beach such as sunbathing or lounging in a chair.
Headline Surfer inquired in emails to Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald as well as County Chair Ed Kelley and council members Ben Johnson, Deb Denys, Billie Egger Wheeler, Barnbara Girtman, Heather Post and Fred Lopwry, but the inquiries Fridayu and on this Satuirday morning have gone unanswered.
What follows are the nightly Beach Safety summaries emailed to Headline Surfer and other media outlets since April 2. The wording is verbatim, except for basic punctuation and spelling:
Beach Safety Media Report 10:08 p.m. Thursday, April 2:
Volusia County Beach Safety flew the red flag today. We had no water rescues.
Volusia County beaches to close
County Manager George Recktenwald announced today that Volusia County’s beaches will close at 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 3, until further notice.
“In order to avoid sending an inconsistent or confusing message to potential visitors and residents, we are taking the step to close our beaches as an additional effort to fight the potential surge in coronavirus cases,” he said during a news conference.
All vehicular and pedestrian beach approaches, beachside parks, and county-owned off-beach parking lots and walkovers will be closed.
Lifeguard towers will not be staffed during the beach closure. Beach Safety staff will fly the double red flag, indicating that the water is
closed to the public.
“Our goal is to educate violators, and we have every expectation that they will comply,” Recktenwald said. “However, if offenders fail to comply, or if we see repeat violators, they will be issued a second-degree misdemeanor, which comes with a hefty $500 fine.”
For the latest updates from Volusia County Government, visit www.volusia.org/coronavirus. Follow Volusia County Beaches on Facebook and Twitter for general information and updates.
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
Beach Safety Media Report 8:35 p.m. Friday, April 3:
Volusia County’s beaches are closed until further notice. Our Beach Safety personnel stayed busy today educating beachgoers of the beach
closure. We gave out about 120 verbal warnings, one written warning, and one citation.
In order to avoid sending an inconsistent or confusing message to potential visitors and residents, we took the step to close our beaches as an additional effort to fight the potential surge in coronavirus cases. All vehicular and pedestrian beach approaches, beachside parks, and county‑owned off‑beach parking lots and walkovers are closed.
Lifeguard towers will not be staffed during the beach closure. Beach Safety staff will fly the double red flag, indicating that the water is closed to the public. If offenders fail to comply, or if we see repeat violators, they will be issued a second-degree misdemeanor, which comes with a hefty $500 fine.
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
Beach Safety Media Report 9:13 p.m. Saturday, April 4:
The beach remains closed. However, in an effort to provide an outlet for physical exercise, Volusia County has issued the Fifth Directive of Emergency Measures relaxing the prohibition of certain exercise-related activities on the beach. With neighboring Brevard County making the decision to open their beaches for physical activity, the expectation is that Volusia County will experience low numbers of non-residents visiting the beach. The new measure provides exceptions to the closure for the activities of walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming. Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited. A minimum of six-foot social distancing shall apply, and social distancing orders issued by the federal and state government must be observed. When permitted activities are complete, beachgoers are required to leave the beach.
Beach Safety staff will continue to fly the double-red flag. Swimmers swim at their own risk and lifeguards may not be on duty. Beach Safety will be enforcing these rules, aiming to educate violators.
Parking Lots and Parks: All off beach parking lots and parks will remain 100% closed.
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
Beach Safety Media Report 8:51 p.m. Sunday, April 5:
Not too much to report, we had rain most of the day and the beach was very quiet.
The beach remains closed. However, in an effort to provide an outlet for physical exercise, Volusia County has issued the Fifth Directive of Emergency Measures relaxing the prohibition of certain exercise-related activities on the beach. With neighboring Brevard County making the decision to open their beaches for physical activity, the expectation is that Volusia County will experience low numbers of non-residents visiting the beach. The new measure provides exceptions to the closure for the activities of walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming. Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited. A minimum of six-foot social distancing shall apply, and social distancing orders issued by the federal and state government must be observed. When permitted activities are complete, beachgoers are required to leave the beach.
Beach Safety staff will continue to fly the double-red flag. Swimmers swim at their own risk and lifeguards may not be on duty. Beach Safety will be enforcing these rules, aiming to educate violators.
Parking Lots and Parks: All off beach parking lots and parks will remain 100% closed.
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
Beach Safety Media Report 9:12 p.m. Monday, April 6:
Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited. This is strictly enforced!
The beach remains closed. However, in an effort to provide an outlet for physical exercise, Volusia County has issued the Fifth Directive of Emergency Measures relaxing the prohibition of certain exercise-related activities on the beach. With neighboring Brevard County making the decision to open their beaches for physical activity, the expectation is that Volusia County will experience low numbers of non-residents visiting the beach. The new measure provides exceptions to the closure for the activities of walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming. Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited. A minimum of six-foot social distancing shall apply, and social distancing orders issued by the federal and state government must be observed. When permitted activities are complete, beachgoers are required to leave the beach.
Beach Safety staff continues to fly the double-red flag. Swimmers swim at their own risk and lifeguards may not be on duty. Beach Safety will be enforcing these rules, aiming to educate violators. Parking Lots and Parks: All off beach parking lots and parks will remain 100% closed.
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
UPDATE: Beach Safety Media Report 10:19 p.m. Monday, April 6:
A little after 4 this afternoon, Beach Safety responded to a 911 call reference a cardiac arrest at 4155 S. the beach, New Smyrna Beach. Pedestrians observed a man in the ocean unresponsive, the pedestrians pulled him out of the water and initiated CPR. The victim was transported to the hospital and he was pronounced deceased. There were no witnesses, we do not know if this was water related or a medical incident. He was a 72 year old man from New Smyrna Beach. NFI at this time...
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
Editor's Note: NFI stands for no further information.
Beach Safety Media Report 9:26 p.m. Tuesday, April 7:
Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited. This is strictly enforced!
The beach remains closed. However, in an effort to provide an outlet for physical exercise, Volusia County has issued the Fifth Directive of Emergency Measures relaxing the prohibition of certain exercise-related activities on the beach. The new measure provides exceptions to the closure for the activities of walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming. A minimum of six-foot social distancing shall apply, and social distancing orders issued by the federal and state government must be observed. When permitted activities are complete, beachgoers are required to leave the beach.
Beach Safety flew the red flag today, we rescued 7 people out of the ocean without incident.
Parking Lots and Parks: All off beach parking lots and parks will remain 100% closed.
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
Beach Safety Media Report 9:12 p.m. Wednesday, April 8:
Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited. This is strictly enforced!
The beach remains closed. However, in an effort to provide an outlet for physical exercise, Volusia County has issued the Fifth Directive of Emergency Measures relaxing the prohibition of certain exercise-related activities on the beach. The new measure provides exceptions to the closure for the activities of walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming. A minimum of six-foot social distancing shall apply, and social distancing orders issued by the federal and state government must be observed. When permitted activities are complete, beachgoers are required to leave the beach.
Beach Safety flew the red flag today, we rescued 8 people out of the ocean without incident.
Parking Lots and Parks: All off beach parking lots and parks will remain 100% closed.
Thank you and have a great evening...
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
Beach Safety Media Report 11 p.m. Thursday, April 11:
Volusia County Beach Safety flew the red flag today, we rescued 7 people
out of the ocean without incident.
With Easter weekend approaching, the county reminds all residents and visitors that the beach is closed. Beach access is limited to essential exercise only, including walking, jogging and biking. Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited.
County-owned off-beach parking lots and coastal parks remain closed.
Beach Safety will be enforcing these rules, aiming to educate violators before issuing fines.
“While it might be tempting to get out and about, we continue to stress the importance of staying home,” said County Manager George Recktenwald.
“We know people need fresh air and exercise, but that doesn’t mean getting in your car and driving somewhere; walk out your door and explore your neighborhood. Right now, we can all save lives, just by staying home.”
Captain Tamra Malphurs
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue
Public Information Officer
Beach Safety Media Report 10:32 p.m. Friday, April 12:
Volusia County Beach Safety flew the red flag today, we had no rescues.
With Easter weekend approaching, the county reminds all residents and visitors that the beach is closed. Beach access is limited to essential
exercise only, including walking, jogging and biking. Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited.
County-owned off-beach parking lots and coastal parks remain closed.
Beach Safety will be enforcing these rules, aiming to educate violators before issuing fines.
“While it might be tempting to get out and about, we continue to stress the importance of staying home,” said County Manager George Recktenwald.
“We know people need fresh air and exercise, but that doesn’t mean getting in your car and driving somewhere; walk out your door and explore your neighborhood. Right now, we can all save lives, just by staying home.”
Captain A.J. Miller
Watch Commander
Volusia County Beach Safety