Latest news with #StephenCanfield
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Daytona Beach sees fewer rescues needed this Memorial Day weekend
Thousands of people spent their Memorial Day weekend soaking up the sun and surf at Florida's beaches. Volusia beach safety had extra lifeguards working to make sure those beachgoers stayed safe. As far as recues go, this year was a slow one. Beach safety made 35 rescues Saturday and Sunday combined. Some holiday weekends can se hundreds of rescues in a day. Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer. That means big crowds at the beaches. Those busy days aren't relaxing for the people tasked with patrolling it. From Daytona Beach's big, red towers to the bright red trucks, lifeguards could be seen working every section of it. 'We actually have more than double our staff this year than from last year,' said Capt. Stephen Canfield. Canfield said more than 80 lifeguards worked at various Volusia County beaches Monday. He said they often make the most recues when ocean conditions are calm. While he said that wasn't the case this year, he's still pushing the same message going into the busy summer months that even if the water looks calm, make sure to swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower. He aid if you get caught in an undertow or get pulled underneath or in a rip current, try to swim parallel to the shore. Beachgoers said the lifeguards' presence gave them peace of mind as they enjoyed the sane and surf. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Volusia County beaches prepare for Memorial Day weekend crowds
Over the next four days, thousands of people will head to the beach for Memorial Day weekend. Volusia Beach Safety has extra lifeguards working to watch out for everyone in the water. 'We actually have more than double our staff this year from last year. We got 70 lifeguards tomorrow, 73 on Saturday and 83 on Monday,' said Capt. Stephen Canfield. Canfield said his staff often makes the most rescues when the beaches are packed, and ocean conditions are calm. 'Just swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower. If you get caught in an undertow or a pull underneath or a rip current, try to swim parallel to the shore,' he said. To prepare for the busy stretch and keep traffic flowing, lifeguards are adding more towers and tollbooths. Some out-of-town visitors said they were surprised to see paid parking signs at the beach lots this year. 'It's $20. It's a little bit on the higher side,' said Eric Magomere, who was visiting the beaches. 'It's kind of ridiculous,' said Stephen Bjorkman. This is the first holiday weekend the county's new paid parking program will be in effect. It gives residents break by making all on and off beach parking and driving free as long as they're registered through the county. Nonresidents have the option to pay $20 per day or purchase an annual pass at $100 per year for off-beach parking or $150 per year to drive onto the beach and park. Lots and approaches are expected to fill up fast, so Canfield said the county's app will give that information in real time. 'If you see a long line of people at Flagler to begin with, you know there's off sites. We're going to be opening everything so you can go to Crawford, you can go to Third Avenue,' said Canfield. Another good place to look for current ocean conditions besides the app is right on the back of lifeguard towers. Signs will tell you about any warnings you should be aware of. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Volusia officials warn of dangerous rip currents amid spring break
The Brief Volusia County beach officials are warning visitors to stay out of the water due to dangerous rip currents. Despite sunny weather, shifting waves and strong winds are creating hazardous conditions. Lifeguards urge swimmers to stay near towers and follow safety guidelines. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Volusia County beach officials are warning visitors to stay out of the water due to dangerous rip currents. What we know Beach officials in Volusia County are warning visitors to stay out of the water due to dangerous rip currents. Despite clear skies and sunny weather, experts say strong winds and shifting waves are increasing the risk. The National Weather Service explains that onshore winds push waves toward the coastline, creating conditions where rip currents can form. What we don't know While officials have issued warnings, it's unclear how many rescues have been needed so far or if any severe incidents have occurred. Officials remain on high alert, but the exact number of people ignoring safety recommendations is unknown. The backstory Spring break is one of the busiest times for Florida beaches, with thousands of visitors flocking to the coast. Historically, rip currents have posed a significant danger, leading to rescues and even fatalities. This year, beach safety teams are emphasizing preventive measures to keep incidents to a minimum. Big picture view While beachgoers may be drawn in by the inviting weather, officials stress that conditions in the water can be deceptive. Lifeguards are ramping up patrols and using public announcements and whistles to warn swimmers. The key message: check the Volusia Beaches app, swim near lifeguard towers, and avoid unnecessary risks. What they're saying "The weather being nice doesn't mean that the water is not going to be a hazard", said Volusia Beach Safety Captain Stephen Canfield. Since spring break kicked off, it's been relatively smooth sailing for Volusia Beach Safety. "We didn't have any real terrible things happen that could happen," Canfield said. Though, with the higher risk for these currents, they'll have to continue to be on point. "A lot of preventative measures. We used a lot of the PA, we used a lot of whistling," he added. "When the winds are onshore, that tends to push wave activity closer to the coastline and allows those waves to crest a little differently, and that is ultimately what dictates where rip currents form," explained Will Ulrich, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. Safety Reminder Officials urge swimmers to stay in designated areas and, if caught in a rip current, to swim parallel to shore until free from the current's pull. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Volusia Beach Safety Captain Stephen Canfield, and NWS meteorologist Will Ulrich.
