UPDATE: Downbeach readies for the summer beach season

Downbeach communities are getting ready for the summer beach season. Ventnor, Margate and Longport have designated bathing beaches for the summer season.

Beach badges are required in all three communities and are currently available at pre-season rates. Longport and Ventnor offer tags at pre-season rates using an online app.

Certain beaches will be staffed starting Memorial Day weekend. All beaches will be staffed starting 4^th of July weekend. As always, local beach patrols recommend swimming only when and where lifeguards are present.

LONGPORT

Students Matthew Sheridan designed Longport’s regular beach tag and Mary Kate Casey designed the senior tag..

Longport beach badges can be purchased 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Borough Hall, 2305 Atlantic Ave. Pre-season prices are $15 for adults and children over 12, and $5 for senior citizens over 65. Pre-season prices end June 15 when the price increases to $30. Tags are free to active duty military members, their spouse and their children ages 12–25 with appropriate service identification.

Beachgoers can also pay for their beach tag using a credit card after downloading the Viply app, then pick up their badge at Borough Hall.

The borough has designated 12^th, 22^nd, 28^th and 32^nd avenues as surfing beaches. Kayak launch areas are between 14^th and 15^th avenues, 22^nd and 23^rd avenues, 27^th and 29^th avenues, and 32^nd and 33^rd avenues.

The following beaches will be staffed by lifeguards 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends, starting June 7-8: 16^th, 19^th, 26^th, 30^th, 31^st and 33^rd avenues. Starting June 15: 13^th, 35^th avenues. Starting June 22: 21^st, Pelham. Starting June 28: 25^th Avenue. Starting July 3: Evergreen Avenue. Beaches may be closed at the discretion of the Beach Patrol Chief.

MARGATE

Beach tags are on sale at the Martin Bloom Pavilion 101 S. Huntington Ave. or at the Margate Municipal Building, 9001 Winchester Ave. during regular business hours.

Season passes are $7 for adults and children over 12; $3.50 for seniors before May 31. Prices double on June 1. Margate tags can also be used in Ventnor. Tags are free to active duty military members, their spouse and their children ages 12–25 with appropriate service identification.

Beaches will open on weekends in Margate starting June 8, with new beaches added each week leading up to the 4^th of July when beaches will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Beaches that will be staffed by lifeguards starting June 8: Clermont, Huntington, Jerome, Osborne, Thurlow, Washington and Jeffferson avenues. Starting June 15: Argyle and Gladstone avenues. Starting June 22: Vendome and Cedar Grove and Monroe avenues. On weekends of May 25, June 1, Sept. 7 and Sept. 14, beaches on Clermont, Huntington, Thurlow and Washington avenues will be open weather permitting. Beaches may be closed at the discretion of the Beach Patrol Chief.

VENTNOR

Beach tags are for sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ventnor City Hall, 6201 Atlantic Ave. Tags will also be available for purchase Friday mornings at the Ventnor City Framers Market, St James Church, Atlantic and Newport avenues; tags will also be sold 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday through Monday May 25-27. Tags are $7 for adults and children over 12, $3.50 for seniors over 65 until May 31; $15 on June. 1. Weekly badges are $10. Badges can also be purchased online with a credit card using the Viply app and picked up on the beach. See the badge checker. Military tags are free.

Ventnor Beach Patrol will be guarding the Lafayette, New Have, Dorset and Suffolk avenue beaches starting May 25. Frankfort and Sacramento avenues will be added on June 8, and Washington Avenue June 15. All beaches will be guarded from June 22 to Labor Day.

Barbecues are permitted on the beach weekends through September, and on Memorial Day, 4^th of July and Labor Day.

Ventnor has designated Somerset Avenue as Hobie Cat beach, Princeton Avenue for kayak launches, and surfing is allowed next to the Ventnor Fishing Pier. Beach volleyball is available at Cambridge Avenue next to the fishing pier.

Certain beaches will be staffed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends until 4^th of July weekend when all beaches will be staffed by lifeguards.