VERO BEACH — As the summer sun set, Ocean Drive was unusually busy for a sweltering afternoon, with Waldo’s and Shark Bite Scuba Club sponsored Beachside Poker Run and Bar Crawl on Sunday. The balmy weather served only to encourage revelers to enjoy more ice cold beverages offered by several watering holes right on the ocean.
Tall, tan lifeguards clad in gray t-shirts with VBLA in red across the front of their broad chests, along with the Budweiser Girls, chaperoned the other, not quite so physically fit partiers as they trudged north, up the beach, beginning at Waldo’s, proceeding to Costa d’Este, then onto the Ocean Grill, followed by Mulligans, and then back to Waldo’s for the announcement of the raffle winners.
Although the stated object was to pick up the best hand in a round of 7-card poker, the real object was to support Vero Beach lifeguards, who have been hard hit by city budget cuts.
Proceeds benefited the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote water safety and lifeguarding in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities.
Local businesses contributed items to the raffle, such as gift certificates from Barefoot Cafe, The Kilted Mermaid, and Ocean Grill. The Yoga Pagoda donated a series of 10 classes, and the Shark Bait Scuba Club contributed two club memberships.
Recent cuts in the city budget have hit the lifeguards hard, so they established the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association as non-profit organization this past summer. Many beaches will have abbreviated hours when lifeguards are on duty, or may not have lifeguards at all this winter.
“It’s a chance to raise awareness for public safety and the importance of having lifeguards at public beaches. The money we raise will go toward buying equipment we need on the beaches,” said Jordon Farrow, a lifeguard with the City of Vero Beach for two years.
“This is a chance to raise funds for awareness of ocean safety and to keep guards on the beach to keep our visitors safe. Lifeguards provide information and guidance. We’re the ambassadors of the ocean, the first line of protection,” said Heather Jo Bottger, a lifeguard, swim instructor and long distance ocean swimmer.
“I’m here thanking the lifeguards for risking their lives to keep the beaches safe,” said one Vero Beach woman. “The surf can be intense here on the east coast.”
“My kids are allowed to swim at guarded beaches only,” said local resident Maria Calderone, enjoying a refreshing cocktail at the Ocean Grill. “It’s great to see all the lifeguards participating in their own charity.”
“We try to make the beach a fun, safe place,” said Farrow. “We need the public to speak up about the need for lifeguards at City Council meetings.”
