Swimming in Treasure Beach

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Swimming in Treasure Beach
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TBNet on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 09:47 am: Edit Post

Due to the recent drowning and the posts that have been made about the safety of swimming in Treasure Beach, we've created this thread to consolidate them in one place.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By very concerned on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 08:15 pm: Edit Post

I can only warn our guests and people living in the area, that the beaches, when rough, are very dangerous.

It is very sad, that it takes a death to show us these facts. Water is something to be respected.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HG on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 08:28 pm: Edit Post

Growing up as a little girl I swim there most my of my life.There was a warning sign saying do'nt swim our if you do at your own (risk)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By How many more on Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 04:48 pm: Edit Post

Amost drown 3 times at that same Bay, WE NEED MORE SIGNS TREASURE IN MY OPIONION IS NOT SAFE FOR SWIMMING IT IS A FISHNING VILLAGE.GO TO NEGRIL TO SWIM.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DivaNicz on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 06:35 am: Edit Post

Where is the best place for less than confident swimmers to go. I always go 'round the rock in great bay, are there anymore suggestions.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By grew up in TB on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 04:15 pm: Edit Post

As children our mother would only allowed us to swim in "Gar Pond" right by the famous Button Wood Tree. If the sea was calm we would venture down to the beach in front of the lane that take you straight to the beach right by that big almond tree.In those days we called it "Big Sea"
Just by the Lewis Guess House. I cannot remember the name of that business.
The only problem was on my last visit to TB the boats were all docked in Gar Pond and there was no place to have a good time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By oldtimer on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 05:19 pm: Edit Post

there should be a sign informing visitors that there is a deep hole around "round rock"
just about everybody who grew up there almost drown at that rock at one time or another, including me,
back in those days the older boys would push us
off the rock to teach us to swim, it was

swim or drown,
suffice to say swimming was the fastest lesson i ever learned

old wharf also have two very dangerous holes

one at the little cove above tranquility bay

locals are very familiar with it very amusing name, i wont mention it here!!

the other hole is at old wharf itself where the old tamarind (tambrin) tree used to be

if you are not from the area never swim alone

condolenses to the family of that very unfortunate gentleman.


oldtimer


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 08:24 pm: Edit Post

Born and raise up in TB,i will say the hardest thing to do is to tell a stranger not to go in the sea when its rough.we have to learn to respect nature,yes its hard coming several miles for a swim and not able to do so.My suggestion for swimming in TB when the sea showing its powers-Great Bay no,Old wharf no,Calabash Bay has a area to the east thats protected by a reef its ok there,keep away from the westerly part of this beach .directly in front of Jack Sprat is ok ,to the west of this cove there is a channel keep away from even when its calm ,it have drop that goses under the reef this is directly in the channel(space that open in deeper water)this is on the east side of the Button Wood Tree,to the west of Button Wood Tree is Garr Pond( where the boats anchor) this is the only place as kids we allow to swim when the sea rough, to the west Frenchman Beach -no ,in front of TB Hotel-no .John Rocks west of TB Hotel-no ,the cove west of John Rocks we call Green Turtle Bay -no .Lots of stranger drown at John Rocks ,if you stand on the rock and look the water appear to be knee or waist deep,but its like six feet or deeper depend how far out on the rock you are,the sand in area a bit whiter and gives a illusion.next is Shelly Bay,-no at all times for non swimmers ,great place for collecting shells and stones after a ruogh weather.Bob Simms a nother cove west of Shelly Bay good for non swimmers ,Sparkling Waters and SunSplash shear this beach ,however directly in front of SunSplash is a channel(Doctor channel),when the sea rough -no when its clam be carful this channel blast out and has uneven footing or drop off .Billys Bay you can swim in the easterly part ,west is a channel keep away,this also blast out .Fort Charles ok dont venture to far .Any beach thats thats dont have a reef can be dangerous for non swimmers ,a rip-tide or under water current comes in from the deeper waters moves toward the shore line ,pull back out ,strong enough to move your footing at waist deep.SRANGERS DON'T KNOW DEEP WATER.Best ask a natve or some one that knows the waters well, before entering .Go swimming with some one that can swim . Non swimmers should also think of wearing floatable vest.When the sea calm most of the beachs in TB good for non swimmers and all good for a good swimmers,for any adventure.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 11:36 am: Edit Post


Needed!

A well illustrated map of the TB area illustrating the points raised by Denise and others would be useful.

Great project for a school competition.

Every noticeboard could post one and visitors issued a complimentary copy.

Businesses could be included and charged for a portion of prize and printing costs.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TB lover on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 06:27 pm: Edit Post

NO MATTER HOW STRONG YOU ARE OR THINK YOU ARE THE SEA IS FAR BIGGER AND STRONGER. PEOPLE REALLY SHOULD WEAR A LIFE VEST TO GO SNORKELING AND FISHING.SWIMMING IS ALLWAYS A RISK TOO, YOU SHOULD NEVER GO ALONE, AT LEAST MAKE SOMEONE WATCH YOU.
There are lots of lovely pools to swim in.
A map showing the safer parts to swim in and the danger spots would be a great idea.

I am sure lots of people would contribute to these being made or maybe a more permanent warning like signs.
Maybe Tbnet could have a map on their web site that people could print off?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Foreigner on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 07:12 pm: Edit Post

I am one of the many who have nearly lost it to the sea in TB and I think there need to be proper warning signs - not "Swim at Your Own Risk". That sounds like something a lawyer told you to write. "DANGEROUS UNDERTOW" or something like that. People just don't like to take advice of locals - as crazy as that seems - so the sign should be from some authoritative body. The community can't be afraid of scaring people with the signs. Better scared than dead!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Non Swimmer on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 12:50 pm: Edit Post

People should use their commonsense when they go swimming, or maybe it's a thing of the past. Your life is always at risk when you enter the water regardless of signs, life vest or life guards.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 09:24 pm: Edit Post

I've been to TB 5 times and swam in Frenchman's Bay nearly every, everytime without issue. I've found this beach to be a fine swimming beach and I've done a lot of body surfing there. I haven't noticed an overly strong undertow, at least not worse than the beached in North Carolina. I've always been there in December so there were not really storms about but it has always been fine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Uncle Peter on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 04:14 pm: Edit Post

Oh dear; another drowning in TB. I'm so saddened having witnessed so many over the years.The fact is that both Treasure Beach & Calabash Bays are, in normal circumstances, such wonderful places to swim. They are both considered "safe" beaches.To a reasonably competent swimmer they are paradise.

The weather can, however, turn them into something else and many people do not realise this.

With a strong wind and sea from the SE the western end of TB is very dangerous; keep up to the Gar Pond & Golden Sand end.
With strong wind and sea from the west just don't bother to get wet. The current takes you out to sea past the Gar Pond entrance. I know since both myself & wife were hauled out of the water by Be Be and Dennis on one occasion.

Most Jamaican visitors to TB are not stong swimmers and the danger for them is coping with the waves & undertows for which swimming lessons cannot prepare you. Therefore, a beach sign with a simple message "don't swim in rough/windy weather", may deter and protect the unwary.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ce Ce on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 09:21 am: Edit Post

WELL SAID UNCLE PETER.

I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO SIGN POSTED FOR RIP-TIDE I DO NOT GO OUT TOO FAR.

WE ALL HAVE TO USE OUR COMMON SENSE WHEN IT COMES TO SWIMMING IN THIS VAST OPEN BODY OF WATER,'"THE OCEAN".

NO MATTER HOW GOOD A SWIMMER YOU ARE WHEN MOTHER RAISES IT'S UGLY HEAD WE SHOULD ALL TAKE CAUTION.

ONE MORE ADVICE FOR ALL...PLEASE LISTEN TO THE NATIVES THEY DO KNOW SOME OF THE DANGEROUS LOCATIONS.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ce Ce on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 05:05 pm: Edit Post

This is my own correction.....Instead of just mother, I meant to say "Mother NATURE".


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mrs. R on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 01:31 pm: Edit Post

ONE MORE ADVICE FOR ALL...PLEASE LISTEN TO THE NATIVES THEY DO KNOW SOME OF THE DANGEROUS LOCATIONS


That is so true!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 03:00 pm: Edit Post

It would be impractical to post a lifeguard at all needed points now, but.....can anyone arrange basic and advanced lifeguard courses with regular refreshers?

The more of us know these skills the better.

Yes Uncle Peter strategically posted signs worded as you suggest are needed.

So...plywood, paint brushes, letter templates, nails and hardwood posts and willing hands and pockets.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Uncle Peter on Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 04:31 pm: Edit Post

Turey - I think I am right in saying that lifesving courses took place a couple of years ago - prompted by the sad drowning of Stevie Moxam - and, I understood the purpose was to man Treasure Beach itself with a lifesaver on public holidays when most of the drownings take place - I think I even contributed to the cost of these!

What has happened since then I do not know as I have never been aware of any lifesavers on holday or busy weekends. I don't think there is any formalised structure in place and without this the sad status quo will be allowed to continue.

I wonder who will really grab this problem by the throat? After all TB is a hell of a nice place which tourist seem to love and, furthermore, it is upon the presence of these tourists that a sizeable part of TB income relies.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 12:29 pm: Edit Post


Uncle Peter, I wonder if part of our reluctance to step forward and grab all our problems by the throat is fear of failure and the subsequent mockings which some are master at.

There also seems to be a too many cooks situation....Tourist Board, South Coast Development Group, local politics, national politics, public works dept, mayors office, Min of Youth & Community Development and UDC. I'm sure I've left some out.

Then there are the various chiefs ruling these various domains and the possible infighting and miscommunications.

And.....secrecy.

Local efforts to do things like the signs, maps and continuing lifeguard training is certainly one way for local action to happen....only a money, sweat and some midnight oil shed.

To expect the same kindnesses from the same hands continuously can become the excuse for us not doing what can be done ourselves.






Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beach'er on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 06:16 am: Edit Post

rip_signs042704-sm
After someone died at Hampton Beach, these signs were posted all over the place to show people how to swim out of a rip tide (or current). It's usually after the fact when information becomes available.

http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/