Just a Reminder About Vero

[PamOKW]

I know some people who go to Vero may not be that familiar with the ocean. We have to keep in mind that we aren't at Disney any more and that there are some natural dangers that come with the ocean. So, please, do not let children go unattended to the ocean. The riptide can pull them out and, unfortunately, there is a possibility of sharks. Not far from Vero, down in Jensen Beach they had a child bit in knee high water.


Shark Bite Article

No one should panic but just keep caution in mind and look for the posted notices and/or signal flags from the lifeguard at the station next to our resort.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

her son had been playing in waist-deep water and thought one of his friends was pulling on his leg underwater. Then he saw a shark had bitten him and he ran crying for help.

Thank you for the very nicely written words of caution. ooks like he was in the water up to his waist, instead of his knees, a minor point. These recent stories have me reluctant to allow my kids to go too to far into the ocean.

 

[WDWguru]

FYI...Most shark attacks happen in shallow water - 15 feet or less.

Why do I have these facts filling up my brain where useful information could be??

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thanks for the words of caution Pam. That is the one thing about Vero that scares me. My DD's love the ocean (as it is too cold up here to go swimming) and enjoyy the beach. I get ssoooooooooooo nervous...........and try to wisk them back to the pool..........

 

[KarenB]

Hey Pam.....thanks for the heads up! We will be in Vero in a week and of course our boys, 11 and 13, can't wait to get in that ocean. I have discussed with them what rip currents are and what to do if caught in one. (I lived a few hours south of Vero in my high school days and remember rip currents well). But we know that most boys this age think that nothing can hurt them

I am glad there is a life guard down the beach. Do you know how far down??? Can we see them (the lifeguards) from the DVC beach??

Thanks!
Karen

 

[madcoco]

PamOKWGreat point!Sometimes people think it may be like Castaway Cay (where they have a net around the lagoon to keep things out) or Typhoon Lagoon.Don't want to scare people but this a picture of the diver who is coming to speak at our get together at VB on 6/24.He has just found some silver 8 reales (pieces of eight) and didn't know he had this guest near.This pic was taken only a few yards off shore close to VB.Riptides can drown even the strongest swimmers if they don't know how to get out of one. It happens almost every year up at Melbourne Beach/sebastian Inlet.

http://home.earthlink.net/~tvgidus/wspg80.html

 

[KNWVIKING]

We were talking with a tour boat Capt and his advise was to always swim at a public beach because the lifeguards are trained to look for "bait fish" which is what draws the sharks in. He stated that swims and people on the beach are at the wrong eye level angle to spot them.

Know what you mean about the rip tides. We're used to them,have spent many a day at the Jersey shore. Just a tip: If you get caught in one-don't fight it,just swim parallel to the coast till your away from it.

 

[Cris]

that just put shivers down my back..thanks for the heads up. -Cris

 

[PamOKW]

The public beach is literally next door (north). You can see the guard chair but I don't think they can see the Disney swimmers.

So many different people go to Vero I just thought a reminder might be in order. Those with Florida, Jersey Shore, Cape Cod, West Coast, etc. experience are aware. Those seeing the ocean for the first time might not think about precautions.

Not too many years back, a young boy was killed by a shark down at the Jaycee Beach in Vero Beach. What's that saying? "An ounce of prevention...."

Have fun everybody! Stay safe!

 

[Aurora2000]

Thank you Pam!

We are checking in next Saturday and I have already had "the Ocean " discussion with my DSs. "Toes in are fine boys, but you will looking at the Ocean and swimming in the pool! "

 

[robinb]

The public beach is literally next door (north). You can see the guard chair but I don't think they can see the Disney swimmers.

Actually, they can. My mother was knocked off of her feet on the Vero beach in ankle deep water by a strong wave and was pulled out into the ocean! She has neck and knee problems and was unable to get out by herself. Some folks on the beach tried to help her and they too were pulled in! The lifeguard sprinted over and helped everyone out. Hint, walk out backwards. You won't be knocked over as easily.

I hope the flags and warnings are better now than they were then in October of 1998. There was a single sign with a variety of a** covering warnings that covered everything that could possibly go wrong. Riptides, sharks, tar, jellyfish, etc. No where did it specifically say that the tide was especially strong that day, even though the rental hut was closed. I guess we were just supposed to know that when the rental hut is closed they don't recommend that you swim in the ocean.

 

[madcoco]

Great pointsKNWVIKING! If you see baitfish jumping chances are something unfriendly is chasing them.DO NOT try to swim straight back to shore if caught go parallel to shore.
Heres a war story. When at college in Melbourne in 79, we use to hang out on Melbourne Beach and Sebastian Inlet quite a bit.Was "trying" to learn to surf and all at once this large moving mass comes within touching distance.Kind of let out a scream Thought it was huge shark.That is how I got introduced to the Manatee.LOL My dorm buddies never let me live that one down.You will see them occasionally swimming close to shore at the Resort and they DONT BITE!

Please don't let these warnings keep you from setting foot in the water or enjoying a day at the beach with other folks. Just be aware of the surroundings. I would not go out there by myself towards dusk or later.

 

[PamOKW]

That is how I got introduced to the Manatee.

Now, that I would like to see!! Maybe one of these trips I'll get lucky.

I second madcoco's comment. PLEASE don't let this scare you off from enjoying the beach. It's just info to keep in the back of your mind.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

All of this also holds true for Hilton Head. Would also like to add about jellyfish. Last year at HH, there seemed to be quite a few jelly fish stings. If stung, find the lifeguard. They have a vinegar spray that helps with the sting.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Just a reminder, there are alligators and snakes at WDW.

 

[BobH]

This was a good reminder that parents are the best lifeguards. It is a tiring job but parents need to be vigilant. I certainly appreciate the lifeguards but I have always assumed I had to keep my eye on my own kids constantly no matter what there age or swimming ability. It is too bad but there are many times when I have kept an eye on other people's kids while sitting at the beach because it appeared their own parents were a little too relaxed. I have seen more than one kid wander off a hundred yards or so before being noticed.
The tip about baitfish is a good one. When you see them you can bet it is lunch time for the sharks. Leave the water especially in an area like Vero where the water is often cloudy and visiblity is poor. All this being said I don't think anyone should be too frightened to use the beach - sharks or not. The odds of undergoing a shark atack are probably less than getting hit by lightning but I don't see anyone staying inside their rooms out of fear. Steven Speielberg and Jaws have caused everyone to overstate the danger from sharks.

 

[mattsdad]

Down in the Miami area, the local lore tells of a monster known as the "Chupacabras" which is supposed to be a cross between a goat and a vampire bat which sucks the blood out of cattle, household pets and even......people! Not wanting to scare anybody but if we are worrying about sharks, alligators and what not might as well add the Chupacabras to the mix.

 

[Desperado]

I heard a rumor that there was a Chupacabra sighting over at OKW, apparently it was attracted by all the hot air coming out of one of the 5.5% larger GVs.

 

[MiaSRN62]

The sharks always are in the back of our minds when swimming in the ocean, but the water at Vero is so inviting (we're used to the Jersey shore which is not as nice). We were staying at Vero Beach resort in August of '00 when we heard of an attack on a 12 year old boy at Sattelite Beach (not too far north of Vero). We were in the ocean swimming around the same time this boy was attacked at Sattelite. Dh, kids and I were showering for dinner when we saw the news story on TV. My dh was nervously kidding us about how Sattelite Beach was about a 15 minute swim in "shark time" ! It didn't stop us from swimming the next day, but we did keep our wits about us a little more. The boy ended up being ok, after needing surgery to his foot and leg.

I was a little surprised when I read the article posted here about the attack at Jensen. Usually they say shark attacks are more likely at dusk or dawn, but this attack was at 1 pm with tons of swimmers around.

 

[AMcaptured]

We saw several sharks in Vero last summer. They always seemed to appear late in the afternoon. The lifeguards at the public beach would call the men renting out the chairs, etc at Disney and alert them that they saw sharks. The men working the rental area would then tell everyone to get out of the water. Most people listened, some did not. One crazed woman even started yelling at the guy that he should get the shark out of the water. A short time later, a manager came down to the water and the same woman started yelling that the manager should get the sharks out of the water, that her kids wanted to go swimming, etc.etc. etc...It was beyond pathetic! I don't know how the manager remained calm, I don't think I could have. I can't stand stupidity.

It didn't stop us from swimming and shouldn't keep anyone from enjoying the ocean. One just has to be aware of their surroundings and respect nature.