From left, Public Works Supervisor Rick Santoro, Jennifer Dahme Kriebel, Mayor Tim Kriebel, Commissioner Lance Landgraf, Kathy Styles-Landgraf and Special Events Coordinator Donna Peterson were on hand to open the Ventnor beach bathing season, Saturday, May 25, 2024.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The city held its annual Beach Opening Ceremony Saturday, May 25 on the beach in front of Ventnor City Beach Patrol Headquarters at Suffolk Avenue.
It was the first official ceremony hosted by newly sworn-in Mayor Tim Kriebel who cut the red ribbon with oversized scissors. He was joined by Commissioner Lance Landgraf, Beach Patrol Chief Stan Bergman, Special Events Coordinator Donna Peterson, members of the Beach Patrol and a few regulars at the Suffolk Avenue beach.
Tina Tkacz of Ventnor called herself a “weekday warrior” who likes to go to the beach during the week to avoid the weekend crowds.
“I like to lay low on the weekends,” she said.
As far as summer goes, “I’m looking forward to riding some great waves this summer. I love our lifeguards and like to practice yoga on the beach Saturday mornings.”
Sheehan Raob was a short distance away leading a yoga class for Waters Edge Church.
“It’s free and anyone can attend,” she said. “We hold it every other Saturday and it includes meditation, Scripture and body movement.”
The next session will be held 9-10 a.m. Saturday, June 8.
Tkacz is also looking forward to eating great meals outdoors at some of Ventnor’s finest restaurants, and attending the surfing contest in August, she said.
Public Works Supervisor Rick Santoro said the members of his department worked hard to get the beaches ready for the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day weekend.
A section of beach in the southern part of the city will be narrower than other beaches during high tides due to erosion during the winter months.
“It’s called littoral drift,” Commissioner of Public Works Lance Landgraf said. “Some of the sand will come back with the natural flow of tides.”
Santoro said the city is patiently awaiting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers replenishment schedule, which is done every three years. The beaches in Ventnor city will have a replenishment of sand in late fall and early spring, he said.
“We expect there will be less room for people at high tide, but they can easily move to wider beaches,” he said.
Santoro said the city will be adding beach mats at other beaches as the season gets in full swing by the Independence Day weekend.
“We’re trimming up the edges of walkways and getting our playgrounds spruced up for the kids,” he said.
Santoro said he is hoping for a “long, slow summer.”
“We don’t want it to be short-lived this summer and hope for great weather, especially on weekends,” he said. “We notice a pent-up demand for people to get out and enjoy being at the shore.”
From left, Lt. Meghan Holland, Suffolk Avenue beach regular Olivia Fendrick and Ventnor Beach Patrol Chief Stan Bergman.
Olivia Fendrick of Ventnor has been going to the beach at Suffolk Avenue for all of her 29 years.
“I love seeing the lifeguards and always come to Beach Patrol Headquarters,” she said.
She knows every lifeguard and her favorites are Chief Bergman and Lt. Meghan Holland, she said.
Ventnor Beach Patrol
Lifeguards advise visitors to respect the ocean and only swim where a lifeguard is present.
Beaches being guarded 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this weekend are:
Ventnor – Dorset, Lafayette, Newport and Suffolk avenues
Margate – Clermont, Huntington, Thurlow and Washington avenues
Longport – 16th, 26th, 30th and 33rd avenues
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