VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The unofficial end to summer is here. The Labor Day weekend brought many people to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
“A large amount of people," said Jessica Herr who visited the Oceanfront this weekend. "We’ve never been down here when it’s been so many people.”
A little bit of rain Monday morning didn’t deter several families from spending a few more hours at the beach before wrapping up the final weekend of summer vacation.
“In the morning, it’s very relaxing because you catch the sunset,” said Luz Dominguez, who visited the beach with her family.
Virginia Beach Ocean-Rescue lifeguards were out at the beach with them over the weekend. In fact, those lifeguards responded to multiple incidents throughout the busy Labor Day weekend.
“They did a great job especially yesterday," tourist Ron Herr said. "They were really busy and they were very attentive.”
“A couple of medical incidents, a couple of water rescues," said Tom Gill, the chief of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service. "Nothing major.”
Gill said the summer was relatively quiet for Virginia Beach lifeguards, compared to previous years.
“As far as water rescue activity," Gill said. "Especially when you compare it to a year ago when we pulled out over 800 people. This year, I think it’s going to be closer to 200 to 300.”
Now, their time guarding the beach is slowly coming to an end.
He says after Labor Day, his team will eliminate outer beach staffing through September 15.
“So, Croatan where we've had anywhere from four to six stands up there all summer long. In the North End, we've had two ATVs patrolling, plus we have the two stands at 57th Street in front of the Wyndham. All that goes away," he said. "We focus solely on the Resort Beach, 2nd to 42nd Street with a limited number of stands.”
Then, he said lifeguards will start patrolling the Resort area until October 13.
Gill said, if you plan to come out the beach in the coming days, swim near lifeguards by the stands.