Anonymous wrote:Lifeguard here.

Please, please, please stop making the “this is why it’s important to learn to swim” comments. It goes so far beyond that. Learning to swim is important, yes, but even more important is following the rules that are clearly posted, especially near oceans, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other bodies of water.

Even highly experienced swimmers can lose control for any number of reasons. There’s even a YouTube video of an Olympian struggling to stay afloat during a race because she got a mouthful of water from another swimmer’s wake heading the other direction. On Olympic synchro swimmer almost died a few years ago.

Accidents happen, even with experienced swimmers who are following the rules. Add on all the riptides, animal threats, rocks and dangerous reeds and seaweed, and experienced swimmers can run into trouble, as of course can someone who doesn’t know how to swim.

I have a friend who almost died in a kayak because she wasn’t wearing a life jacket, and a sudden storm came up. She’s been a strong swimmer and kayaker for decades. Be careful, and remember it’s not only about “being able to swim.”

Anonymous wrote:Lifeguard here.

Please, please, please stop making the “this is why it’s important to learn to swim” comments. It goes so far beyond that. Learning to swim is important, yes, but even more important is following the rules that are clearly posted, especially near oceans, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other bodies of water.

Even highly experienced swimmers can lose control for any number of reasons. There’s even a YouTube video of an Olympian struggling to stay afloat during a race because she got a mouthful of water from another swimmer’s wake heading the other direction. On Olympic synchro swimmer almost died a few years ago.

Accidents happen, even with experienced swimmers who are following the rules. Add on all the riptides, animal threats, rocks and dangerous reeds and seaweed, and experienced swimmers can run into trouble, as of course can someone who doesn’t know how to swim.

I have a friend who almost died in a kayak because she wasn’t wearing a life jacket, and a sudden storm came up. She’s been a strong swimmer and kayaker for decades. Be careful, and remember it’s not only about “being able to swim.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know there are signs there but on a nice, sunny Sunday, you think there would have been Park Rangers or more people that would have seen the group and told them to get out of the water.

Do you have any clue how few park rangers there are? Have you not paid any attention? They're incredibly short staffed and since the evil orange man started throwing fits, there are fewer.

DO NOT BLAME PARK STAFF!

Drownings in that area predate orange man