Area Lifeguards Have Rescued Over 150 People This Summer

So far this summer, lifeguards from Hampton Bays to Westhampton Beach have made over 150 saves. And with just a few weeks left in the season, the lifeguards say they are prepared for anything at anytime.

"A lot of people think it's just sitting around, but you have to be alert your entire shift because the people in the water are depending on you," said Robert Duca, a lifeguard at in Westhampton.   

Duca is one of 12 lifeguards that watch over the village’s waterways from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Chris Tagliavia, also a lifeguard at Rogers Beach, said in one week alone this summer, the lifeguards collectively had ten saves. 

“You never know when something is going to happen, and we have to be ready for when it does."

The lifeguards, he said are on high alert during rough water conditions.

“When the water gets rough, you need to know everything that’s going on in the water,” he said.

While the lifeguards say there have been a total of 15 saves at Rogers Beach this summer, lifeguards at Suffolk County’s Westhampton Beach-based rescued 126 people, according to the Suffolk County Health Department.

On Southampton beaches this summer, Chris Bean, parks and recreation department supervisor said, “So far this season has been pretty calm.”

From the Eastern most Southampton beaches to those west of the canal, Bean says Southampton’s 75 lifeguards have rescued a total of 75 people at the town’s eight lifeguarded beaches.

“They pull in all sorts, doesn’t mater the age,” said Bean.  “People get out into a rip and they don’t realize how strong they are.”