HALLANDALE BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Lifeguards at beaches across South Florida are keeping an eye out for possible impacts from Tropical Storm Laura.
At around 10 a.m. Monday, Hallandale Beach lifeguards raised a red flag at the shore.
The beach remains open, but beachgoers must use caution.
“We’re keeping everybody at waist-deep today, we’re not letting anybody venture out,” said Ocean Rescue Captain Joe Taylor. “We recommend no swimming actually, but if people want to venture out it’ll be waist-deep only because of the south winds, rip currents and rough surf.”
Florida escaped the storm’s path, but rainy and windy conditions could be felt throughout South Florida.
“I grew up on Cape Cod, man, that’s where I learned how to swim. We had waves like this,” swimmer Rick Capron said.
The choppy waves didn’t stop new lifeguards to train in the rough waves of Hallandale Beach.
“We’re doing some rough water training just in case we have to go in. We gotta be prepared for these conditions,” Taylor said.
Further south, the winds were even stronger. Vacationers on Sunny Isles beach stayed on the sand.
“It’s great, man. The beach was great yesterday. I didn’t really let the kids in today,” said a tourist.
Although there was more wind and waves in Miami Beach, tourists were still happy to be traveling in the area.
“Lots of waves,” said another tourist. When asked if there was a lot of sand blowing everywhere, she replied, “Yeah, but it was fun.”
The biggest waves roared in Haulover Beach, which was perfect for surfers.
“This is a blessing for us, a blessing in disguise,” surfer Bruno Baiao said.
Surfers can be expected to be found riding the waves in Haulover Beach before the arrival of most storms.
“We’re hoping for much better than this, the storm’s too far away. We are just out there to duck, dive and get some exercise. Just glad the beaches aren’t closed,” surfer Andy Aaron said.
“We could close it if the conditions don’t warrant it at this point, you know, we’re allowing people to walk and recreate and just get out of the house,” said Taylor.
The waves are about 5 to 6 feet in Haulover Beach, which is big enough for surfers to get on their surfboards.
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