I have not seen a Ponquogue Beach lifeguard schedule, especially their hours after Labor Day. My neighbors and I believe that lifeguards should be on duty on three or four weekends after Labor Day at Ponquogue Beach. In 2024, they were on duty two weekends after Labor Day. The beach was very busy on the first three weekends and moderately busy on the fourth.
We don’t see any reason not to have lifeguards when there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of beachgoers. It seems prudent that Southampton Town would want to protect beachgoers. It not safe to be in the ocean if lifeguards are not present and we are going swimming.
We think maybe the town wants to adhere to a budget, so we have discussed a most economical method to protect us:
1) Cut lifeguard staff by 25 percent from August.
2) Use only two lifeguard stands. Bring the red flags closer together.
3) Don’t open the concessions stand after Labor Day; we can bring baloney sandwiches and Coke from home.
4) Keep restrooms locked and bring in two to four portable toilets. We can shower at home.
5) Close the ticket booth. Most cars have town stickers. A few cars might sneak in, or code enforcement personal can give them parking tickets, or not.
A few lifeguards I have spoken to would love the extra hours. They will probably be at the beach anyway, so why not get paid to be there?
Jim Dreeben
Hampton Bays
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