Fort Lauderdale Beach - Respect the Ocean

Everyday, I swim in the ocean. In fact, I consider myself a strong swimmer. Our Fort Lauderdale beach is beautiful with clear water, shallow areas for kids and most of the times the water is so calm, it’s like swimming in a pool.

However, there are rare days where the wind picks up and waves can get rough.

Today, I went swimming and I noticed the red flag by the life guard station in front of our oceanfront condo in the Las Olas Beach Club. There were other beach goers and I felt confident as I like to play with the waves. The waves were strong and the current was powerful. After few minutes of being in the water playing with the waves, I just started to realize how far I have gone away from the shore. As I tried to swim back, the current was strong that I was not getting any closer. There was a little panic as I tried several times with the help with few waves pushing me to shore. I finally I got to where I was able to touch the ocean floor and stand then walked back to shore.

“RESPECT the ocean, its power and the lifeguard signs”, said to myself as I was trying to catch my breath again. It was a humbling experience.

Fort Lauderdale Condos

Fort Lauderdale Beach Manatees

Manatees (sea cows):
The other day I was swimming in Fort Lauderdale beach as I noticed a quite large dark object under water moving very fast. I looked at other swimmers and they were also starring at the same object. I went to the life guard and pointed out the object as he told me that it’s a Manatee. They are harmless. The day before there was about 10 of them in the water playing around.

So, if you happen to see Manatees in the water, do not be alarmed, they are found on our beach sometimes in groups In fact, manatees are listed by the World Conservation Union as vulnerable to extinction, and the current main threat to manatees is being struck with boats or slashed through with propellers.

http://www.lasolasbeachclub.net/