Top Ten Beaches to Watch

Top Ten Beaches to Watch

Each year America’s Foremost Beach Expert chooses the top ten beaches in the United States. A Laboratory Director for Coastal Research at Florida International University, Dr. Stephen Leatherman, otherwise known as “Dr. Beach,” is an expert on all things sun, sand, and surf. He evaluates each beach on a long list of criteria ranging from water cleanliness to air temperature.

For the number one, Dr. Beach has looked beyond America’s tropical coasts to a state better known for its high-rises, yellow taxis and first-rate theatre. Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York, scored high marks on Dr. Beach’s criteria, landing it in the coveted spot on the list. Although this pristine beach holds the top title, any of beaches two through ten would prove to be paradise, and quite frankly, an awesome place to be a lifeguard.

1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

Topping off the list, this quiet 500’ getaway offers a nice summer position for lifeguards. Open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, lifeguards can monitor this quaint empty shoreline and soak in the view of the Hampton mansions in the distance.

2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida

Made of 99 percent quartz, Siesta Beach’s sand helps it claim the number two spot with footing that’s cooler and softer on un-flip-flopped feet. A handsome complement to the clean sand is the water at this beach, for it is cleaner than others across the nation since the state of Florida routinely tests water quality. With cool sand, clean water and year-round job security, Siesta Beach is a great professional home for the full-time lifeguard.

3. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

Visitors to this beach engage in more than just picnics and soaking up the sun on a tie-dye towel. Bike trails, sailing, and kite flying are all popular here. Also known for its sand dunes that spell “Coronado” to aerial viewers, this beach attracts all kinds of people. A lifeguard stationed here would enjoy constantly changing scenery with a steady flow of new visitors and always-moving sailboats in the distance.

4. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks of North Carolina

Home of the United States’ most famous lighthouse, Cape Hatteras attracts more than swimmers. Lighthouse buffs, tourists and fishermen are common in this area. Also, known for some of the best East Coast board surfing, this beach’s eclectic collection of people during Memorial Day through Labor Day would provide a memorable summer.

5. Main Beach, East Hampton, NY

Famous for hosting the Lifeguard Tournament, this beach is a Mecca for lifeguards. With events like “Beach Flags” – a musical chairs meets 40-yard dash sort of game – lifeguards compete in their own version of the Olympics to win titles and their share of fame. Hosting this national event would be a source of pride for a Main Beach lifeguard, as well as their local ocean awareness program and junior lifeguard program. Open daily in the summer months and on weekends in the late spring and early fall, this beach is lifeguard central for the short summer.

6. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

Named after a man known for an Olympic medal and his title, “the father of modern surfing,” this beach sounds like it would be the scene of large waves and professional surfers. Instead, it’s one of the calmer beaches of Waikiki. With an offshore reef that absorbs most of the waves, the water here is kinder and perfectly manageable for families. A lifeguard here can enjoy the happy young vacationers and hang around after their shift for the weekly fireworks show, “King Jubilee”, by the city of Honolulu.

7. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

A chillier beach than many of the others on this list, Coast Guard Beach is only open in the summer months and even then the water only reaches between 60 and 70 degrees. Beachgoers don’t seem to mind, however, since the air still gets hot, making the icy dip refreshing. Lined by eroded cliffs and being one of America’s more historically popular beaches (this is the first land the Mayflower sighted), lifeguards have a lot of reasons to be proud of this workplace.

Dr. Beach’s 8 and 9 spots on the 2010 list were beaches with no lifeguards on duty. In their place, these are the beaches that grabbed the number one spot in 2008 and 2009

8. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii (2009)

This beach reached number one in 2009 because of its breath taking scenery. With beautiful water, clean sand and mountains in the distance, this secluded beach is the setting of post cards, honeymoons, and many people’s “happy places.” Popular for surfing and more sizable waves, this location would be one of the most beautiful places lifeguards could work as well as a place to keep their skills sharp.

9. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida (2008)

Known as a “natural beach,” meaning its sand is not manicured and its forests are not trimmed or tamed, Caladesi is accessible only by boat or ferry and offers employment Memorial Day to Labor Day. Wide flay, and shallow, lifeguards can more easily keep track of wandering visitors who have made their way here.

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

This beach is closed from November to February but throughout the rest of the year it’s teeming with wildlife and happy tourists. Lifeguards here are certified by the United States Lifeguard Association and get to enjoy beautiful nature on a beach known for its sunsets. After their shift they can head to one of the nearby restaurants and enjoy fresh seafood gathered just off of the shore they’ve been watching.╚

For future information about lifeguarding and related industry topics, visit www.lifeguardtimes.com.