Hot holiday weekend brings crowds to Coligny Beach; lifeguards stress hydration, sun safety, and keeping track of kids

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WTOC) - With hot temperatures expected along the South Carolina coast this Fourth of July weekend, Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island is gearing up for heavy crowds.

Lifeguards with Shore Beach Service, the company that oversees Coligny Beach, say the season has been relatively calm so far, but the heat and holiday traffic mean beachgoers should take extra precautions.

Lifeguards: Hydrate early and often

Shore Beach Service says it will be staffed up for the holiday weekend with about 65 lifeguards on duty.

Mike Wagner with Shore Beach Service said the biggest concern during extreme heat is people not drinking enough water or electrolytes.

“Hydrate like crazy. We see a lot of people who forget to drink water, and they forget to eat. Eating also helps in avoiding heat exhaustion,” Wagner said.

Lifeguards recommend:

• Drink plenty of water and electrolytes throughout the day
• Eat regularly, not just snacks
• Limit exercise in the heat and move workouts to earlier in the day

“Limit the exercise while you’re here and make sure it’s early in the morning,” Wagner said.

Beachgoers say preparation is key

Visitors at Coligny Beach said they plan before heading into the sun.

Some said they pack coolers with water, ice, and electrolyte drinks to last all day. Others bring a bottle of water and refill it at nearby stands and restaurants.

Lindsay Grainger, a nurse visiting from out of state who said her family comes to Hilton Head every year, emphasized sunscreen and hydration.

“I have lathered the girls in sunscreen; we have a bunch of water here and ice. Just trying to make sure we are well hydrated, I always tell them, ‘Hydrate or die-drate,’” Grainger said.

Another visitor, Michael Duke, said cold water and avoiding travel headaches are part of staying safe.

“Keeping the coolers packed with cold bottles of water and staying off the roads, I think, is the biggest thing to stay safe out here,” Duke said.

Some beachgoers also said they cool down at wash-off stations when leaving the beach.

Keeping track of kids

Lifeguards also urged families to keep a close eye on children in the crowd.

Wagner said that during afternoon hours, they sometimes see as many as 10 children a day who become separated from their parents.

He said kids should immediately go to a lifeguard stand or Shore Beach Service staff if they get lost.

“Remind your kids: if they get lost, don’t look for a long time for mom and dad. Find one of the highchair lifeguards in the highchair,” Wagner said. “Then our rental attendants are also certified lifeguards; they are under the blue and gray umbrellas with a Shore Beach Service flag behind them.”

Once a child reaches a lifeguard, Wagner said, staff can radio other guards and quickly reunite families.

A reminder from the beach

After spending several hours at Coligny Beach, our crew saw many people applying sunscreen and drinking water, but also witnessed one person pass out. Lifeguards responded to help and placed an umbrella over the woman as she regained consciousness.

Lifeguards say the best way to prevent heat-related emergencies is to prepare before arriving, drink more fluids than usual, and take breaks from the sun.