Description
For 2025, the Wrightsville Beach Foundation honors the history of lifeguarding at Wrightsville Beach. Wrightsville Beach has a long prioritized water safety and lifeguards have played a crucial role in protecting swimmers and beachgoers since the town’s incorporation in 1899. Reportedy, obtaining beach patrol boats was the second action taken during the first town meeting! (The first action taken in that meeting was an ordinance restricting the roaming of goats, cows, and pigs!) In the early days, the town had to improvise to address public safety. In 1902, the town placed fifty foot long ropes, called lifelines, that were spooled into red boxes along the beach. If somebody in the ocean was in trouble, the rope would be thrown or taken out to them. In 1911,
as crowds continued to grow, the town passed its first ever lifeguard ordinance. that required all island hotels employ an “active capable man” and have their own surf boat to accompany their guests when swimming. Long surfboats were anchored beyond the breakers and oars were utilized to reach those in trouble. This became the status quo for many years, but changes and improvements were still needed.
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