No drinking on Ocean City beach

By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer

(July 28, 2023) The beach may seem like a great place to relax and enjoy alcoholic beverages.

However, it is both illegal and unsafe to do so.

Given the combination of heat, the dehydrating and disorienting effects of alcohol and impaired judgment, you can understand why Ocean City does not allow alcohol on its beaches.

Alcohol depletes your body of the vital fluids it needs to keep you up and running throughout the day, and it can also give swimmers a false sense of confidence when it comes to ocean swimming.

Almost every guard has a story about rescuing a swimmer who drank too much alcohol.

A person who has a healthy understanding of the ocean and their own swimming ability might not usually head out very far, but after a few drinks (liquid courage) they might find themselves feeling braver.

For additional information about this year’s Jesus at the Beach festival, visit JesusAtTheBeach.org or call 410-289-1296.

They may take other uncharacteristic risks, such as riding a wave into shallow water. Alcohol and water just do not mix.

Years ago, a young man celebrating his high school graduation had one too many drinks and took a headfirst dive into two inches of water; he is now paralyzed from the neck down.

Last year, a young adult (under the age of 21) was reported to have consumed too much alcohol, swam against his friends’ advice, and his body was recovered an hour later.

These are avoidable tragedies at the hands of alcohol that not only affect the person’s judgment, but also friends and family who must deal with the loss.

Intoxicated swimmers’ reaction time and physical ability are diminished and often lead to the person finding themselves in trouble in the water.

If this occurs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. they will be lucky enough to be rescued by a lifeguard, although the individuals are often taken to a medical facility for