Lifeguards at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront were busy over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, rescuing 30 people from the rough water.
The number is above average for this time of year, according to Deputy Chief Tom Gill with Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service.
He tells NewsChannel 3 that most of the rescues were minor, and the people were checked out on the scene; however, three people had to be taken to the hospital.
Gill says one woman was taken in to have deep cuts and lacerations treated after getting swept into the Oceanfront pier and holding on to the jagged pilings.
A visitor from Maryland credits two surfers for taking action to save her. She was near the First Street jetties when she says she encountered rough water and got in trouble. She thanks those surfers for saving her!
Tom Gill with Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service says the lifeguards are constantly watching the water and know when the water is too rough for swimming. They put up red "dangerous water" flags if that's the case, and they always talk to beachgoers to inform them when the water is and is not safe.
He says they are getting ready for big events this weekend, including Opsail and the Patriotic Festival. That's when they'll be at a level one lifeguard status, with every Oceanfront stand operational.
