Volusia County Beach Safety watch commander in Daytona: Smaller crowds 'due to cooler weather and increased winds'

Not manty people at the beach in Daytona / Headline SurferPhotos for Headline Surfer / Above, beach-goers on this Sunday morning at the beach in New Smyrna are few and far between as shown in a screen shot from the Volusia County beach cam at the Flagler Avenue beach ramp. Then again, in the screen shot at left, the beach off the Dunlawton Avenue ramp in Daytona Beach Shores is practically barren. The cold weather and strong winds are cited by Beach Patrol officials as factors.

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Volusia County Beach Safety flew the red flag Saturday, but did not have any water rescues.

"We are experiencing large surf and high tide conditions, which will continue throughout the weekend," Beach Safety Capt. Laura S. Warner, a watch commander in Daytona, said in an email media alert to Headline Surfer on Saturday night. "We had smaller crowds today due to cooler weather and increased winds."

"We are experiencing large surf and high tide conditions, which will continue throughout the weekend," Beach Safety Capt. Laura S. Warner, a watch commander in Daytona, said in an email media alert to Headline Surfer on Saturday night. "We had smaller crowds today due to cooler weather and increased winds." 

It was the same scenario Saturday with red flags, though not so cold or windy on Friday when yellow flags were shown along the beaches from Ormond down to New Smyrna. Volusia Beaches App

Beach-goers are encouraged to download the free Volusia Beaches app for real-time information regarding beach access ramps, lifeguard towers and more. And follow Volusia County Beaches on Facebook and Twitter for general information and updates.

Lifeguard Tryouts

Fourth round of tryouts will be held 8-11 a.m. Saturday at the Ormond YMCA  and from noon-3 p.m. at the Port Orange YMCA. Applicants must be able to swim 500 meters freestyle in under 10 minutes, swim 50 yards freestyle in under 30 seconds, and run a half-mile in under 3 minutes and 15v seconds.

Class Dates

• Class 1 - 8 a.m. March 16-21; 

• Class 2 - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. March 28, 29, and April 4,5, 11, 12.                

For more information, please visit Volusia.org/beach or call 386-239-6414.