Thursday, October 1, 2026
Atlantic Beach officials praised the village’s lifeguards and beach staff for keeping residents and visitors safe through a busy summer season, including a dramatic rescue that involved multiple lifeguards and beach personnel, during the Village Board’s Aug. 10 meeting.
Chief Lifeguard Dan Majikas said the beach staff has been particularly busy in recent weeks because of high surf and strong currents, which have prompted yellow-flag warnings.
“Yesterday (Aug. 9), there was an all hands rescue at Plaza, involving backward stabilization for a spinal injury,” Majikas said. “Multiple lifeguards acted immediately to save the victim’s life, as he was immobile in the water.”
The victim was stabilized in the water before Atlantic Beach Rescue arrived. Paramedics then took over and the victim was safely removed from the beach and airlifted to a hospital.
Majikas specifically commended lifeguards Daniel Vanefsky and Anthony Scotto di Clemente for their immediate actions during the rescue. He also recognized Sam Orland, who ran over from Eldorado Beach; Assistant Chief Lifeguard Trevor Raden, who arrived by all-terrain vehicle from Vernon Beach; and Mike Sorrentino, who opened the gates to allow paramedics and other emergency personnel onto the beach.
Majikas also thanked Atlantic Beach lifeguards and staff, lifeguard chiefs, members of Atlantic Beach Rescue and the medical personnel involved in the response.
“I would just like, if we could please take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding actions of these two young men who acted immediately, Daniel Vanefsky and Anthony Scotto di Clemente,” Majikas said.
Parks and Beach Commission Chairman Nat Etrog also highlighted the important role lifeguards play, urging residents to support legislation that would recognize lifeguards as certified first responders.
A similar resolution has passed in New Jersey, Etrog said, providing lifeguards with some of the benefits available to other first responders.
“Lifeguards really deserve this designation,” Etrog said, encouraging residents to contact their state and federal representatives to support similar legislation in New York.
Etrog also reminded beachgoers to pay attention to water conditions. While Atlantic Beach benefits from its jetties, he said currents moving east and west have been prevalent this summer.
“When the red flags are out, please adhere to what the lifeguards are telling,” Etrog said. “Usually they say, waist deep, to be careful.”
As the summer enters its final weeks, staffing has become another priority. Some young lifeguards and beach employees have already returned to college, while others will soon leave for school.
Majikas said part-time employees have helped the village remain fully staffed as often as possible, and several new employees have recently been hired following swim tests and surf training.
Beach Manager Michael Sorrentino said the village is on track to maintain staffing through the remainder of the season. The village recently hired seven additional employees for chair and beach attendance positions to help fill gaps created by college departures.
“We’ve had a great summer so far,” Sorrentino said. “I’m happy to report the things that have been running smoothly, and then we’re on track for maintaining full staff, despite some of our workers, going away for college.”
He reminded residents that the beach season will officially conclude on Labor Day, Sept. 7. Residents with chairs, umbrellas or beach houses were asked to remove their belongings before the final day of beach operations.
Majikas also reminded residents to swim only at protected beaches when lifeguards are on duty, particularly as hurricane season brings the possibility of changing weather and dangerous surf.
