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The summer season kicks off this weekend with a few new additions and changes aimed at making the beachgoing experience more pleasurable, according to Beach Manager Garrett Giberson Sr.

First and foremost, there will be no smoking on any of the Asbury Park beaches but smoking will be permitted along the boardwalk.

“Our ultimate goal is to keep our beaches beautiful, safe and family-friendly,” Mayor John Moor has said. “We wanted to address the public health concerns as well help keep our beaches clean. The smoking ban will help eliminate the waste created by improperly discarded cigarettes that litter the sand and end up in our oceans, contaminating the water.”

New meters, able to accept credit cards, are being placed along the six boardwalk entrances, Giberson said. Also new will be beach maps at each of the entrances.

There is a shift in bicycle riding hours; moving from noon to midnight ban to a 10 a.m. to midnight ban. There is also no cycling on any portion of the boardwalk north of Sixth Avenue.

Also prohibited are the use of skateboard, roller skates, sled, toboggan, and/or similar wheeled items, on the boardwalk, in the arcades, public walks, ramps and sidewalks adjacent to the beachfront.

Giberson said 10 new lockers are being placed at each of the beaches, bringing the total count up to 520; but there is still a long waiting list.

“We certainly couldn’t be more ready,” Giberson said. “We’re in the final stages of grooming. We’re solar powered so we are looking forward to a good weekend.”

This year, the Asbury Park squad is comprised of 28 to 30 lifeguards, ranging in age from 20 to 75.  

“Almost all of them are returning from last year,” he said. “We have a diverse group. I’d say 30 to 40 percent of the squad are women.”

This is a vast difference from when Giberson and Beach Safety Supervisor Joe Bongiovanni started in the 1960s.

“It was an all male squad then,” he said.

One thing that has not changed is the squad’s participation in tournaments.

“A lot of the older guys used to compete in tournaments,” he said. “That’s what kept us in shape. Some of our younger members compete.” 

Giberson gave credit to Bongiovanni, a former swim coach, for aggregating the talent.

“He has connections with the swim teams and that’s where we get a lot of our talent,” Giberson said.

The beach opens Saturday on a weekend schedule; moving to the seven day opening from June 13 through Labor Day weekend [Sept 3]. Additional September weekends may be added, weather and water conditions permitting.

The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays. During beach bathing hours lifeguards are on duty, and buoys and ropes marking off the areas for swimming.

The daily rates are $5, Monday through Friday, and $7 on the weekends and holidays. The seasonal badge rates are $70 for adults, and $20 for teens [ages 13 to 17] and seniors [62 and over]. There is no charge for kids 12 and under, disabled veterans and active military personnel and their dependents.

The surfing only zone is located between the jetties on Deal Lake Drive and Eighth Avenue from June 16 through Labor Day. Fishing is prohibited near bathing areas and require registering with the New Jersey Saltwater Registry.  

And for Asbury Park’s canines, the Eighth Avenue dog beach access is open from 6 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. through Sept. 14.

For more about the Asbury Park beach guidelines, click here, and beach passes are available via the Viply app.

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