Helene's Blog

The History of Surf-lifesaving in the Town of East Hampton

Over the last several days, I've been working with several members of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR) to write a history page for our organization's website. Our Chief, Michael Forst, felt that it would be interesting to let people know how EHVOR came to be and how the use of dory rescue boats for saving lives in the ocean changed over the years to the use of jet skis. My research led me to discover many things I didn't know. East Hampton has a rich history of everyday heroes, ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things. Since the 1770’s, when local volunteers patrolled the coastlines of New York, these heroes courageously saved many lives in the waters surrounding the Town of East Hampton. In 1848, The United States Life-Saving Service, a governmental agency, formed with the mission to save the lives of shipwrecked seafarers and their distressed passengers. Then in 1915, they merged with the Revenue Cutter Service to form the United States Coast Guard. Fast forward to 1978, when a group of local, courageous East Hampton baymen organized themselves, forming what was to become the East Hampton Baymen’s Association Dory Rescue Squad, a volunteer organization that grew out of humanitarian efforts to protect the lives of people in distress in the waters around the Town. Due to their unique fishing skills of haul-seining, a fishing practice that required specialized knowledge of how to deal with powerful surf, these men provided emergency response teams for the Town’s lengthy ocean coastline. Thanks to their unending commitment, their knowledge and skills saved many lives. At its peak, the group had 130 members, all men.

Benny H, Jens L, Tom F, Dan K, Billy H, WallyB, Stuart V, Calvin L, Richard L – Rescue Dory 1979-80 (All pictures in this piece were given to me by Tom Field, one of the original Dory Rescue responders)

Each year, the Dory Rescue Squad would drill with the East Hampton Ambulance preparing for any water emergency.

In 1990, however, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) banned haul-seining, a fishing practice that provided livings for many of the local baymen. Hauling-seining was a unique way of fishing that involved the use of 20 to 25-foot flat-bottomed wooden dory boats that had a narrow bow and a narrow stern. The baymen would launch their dory boats from the beach into the surf. Once out far enough, the fishermen laid seine nets in a U-shaped pattern. They would then bring the nets together, and row back to shore where the trapped fish, mostly Stripped bass, would be flopping in the huge nets. With this new ban on haul-seining, the baymen realized that there was no need to pass their skills and knowledge down totheir children as this fishing practice was now deemed illegal.

Sadly, in 2005, there were 17 members left when the group disbanded.

In 2003, however, a group of local, ocean certified lifeguards formed a rescue organization called East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue. These dedicated, tenacious lifeguards and ocean rescue swimmers, still to this day, train year-round to carry on the time-honored tradition of surf lifesaving that was passed on to them by the United States Life-Saving Service and the East Hampton Baymen’s Association Dory Rescue Squad.

The transition from the use of a dory boat, that was rowed by the dory rescue crew members, to the use of a motorized dory boat, to the acceptance of a jet ski used by members of EHVOR as a recognized rescue craft took place over many years.

How fortunate East Hampton Town is to have such an organization whose committed members respond to water emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since 2003. EHVOR is a one of a kind volunteer rescue organization, safeguarding thousands of swimmers each year with the mission of making expedient and safe water rescues year-round at all unprotected beaches from Wainscott to Montauk.

   

EAST HAMPTON VOLUNTEER OCEAN

RESCUE - SURFERS HEALING 2016

 A TRANSFORMATIVE DAY!

On Friday, September 16, 2016, Surfers Healing, an organization that travels around the United States offering children with special needs, specifically those with autism, the opportunity to experience the wonders and magic of surfing in the ocean, visited our east end shores at Ditch Plains in Montauk.

Members of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue were there in force to volunteer their time for this amazing event. From 8:00 in the morning to 2:30 in the afternoon, they assisted the children onto surfboards or transported them by jet ski out to some of the most talented surfers waiting to take them for the ride of their life.

Surfers Healing is making a difference in the lives of families and kids living with autism and other special needs.

 

Thinking in ones is where an effective change takes place. One day at the beach, making a difference, one ride at a time!

This was a most perfect day!

Picture taken by Peter Gideon of Izzy Paskowitz, the founder of Surfers Healing

Picture by Mae Moulin of Katie Osiecki, just in case any of the kids needed a helping hand.

easthamptonoceanrescue.org

  On Friday, September 16, 2016, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Surfers Healing will once again be at Ditch Plains, Montauk, New York. This amazing event is guarded by the members of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue. Surfers Healing is an organization that travels around the United States offering children with special needs, specifically those with autism, the opportunity to experience the wonders and magic of surfing in the ocean. Surfing is a transformative experience as the sun streams down upon the sandy beach and the wind gently blows under the deep, blue skies. Members of Surfers Healing want to "help foster the understanding and acceptance of autism. With the help of incredible volunteers and a team of the most amazing surfers in the water, Surfers Healing is making a difference in the lives of families and kids living with autism. Last year they took out over 4,500 kids. Next year they plan to take out even more." Come down to Ditch Plains and have a transformative day!

Rachel Carson once said, “In an age when man has forgotten his origins, and is blind even to his most essential needs for survival, water along with other resources has become the victim of his indifference.” Dr. Carson’s impact on the environment resonates with each tweet of a songbird. There are no silent springs because of her. I would like to express my belief that our environment is crying so loud, it’s deafening, and until WE, collectively, have the courage to stand up for the health and healing of the environment, we will all be victims. It has been scientifically documented that the water quality of our East Hampton watersheds is impaired. There are harmful algal blooms, low oxygen levels, and excessive bacterial contamination leading to shellfish and bathing beach closures. Relying on our county, state, and federal governments’ environmental protection policies and protocols has failed to protect the health of our environment. It is therefore our responsibility to shout as loud as we can, to voice our demands for ecological recovery. For without it, we are surely doomed. The East Hampton Town Board has drafted a funding plan to restore what we have harmed. Our watersheds contribute to an East End way of life that is unique and special. Taking steps to address water pollution is vital for our health, and our economy. No matter how rich you are, when you lose your health you lose everything. Knowing that all things are interconnected, that man is only a part of the greater whole, we need to realize that when we harm the environment, we are harming ourselves. Taking 20% of the CPF Fund to restore the quality and health of our water estuaries is a measure that will protect our Town’s significant scenic vistas, water estuaries, and natural landscapes for future generations. For the last 18 years, the CPF Fund has played a pivotal role in protecting the unique character of our community. With this CPF money, the Town will be able to reduce pollution, mitigate for future pollution, and create restoration projects. I will bookend this blog post with another insightful quote by Rachel Carson. “We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road—the one ‘less traveled by’— offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth.”  

  After two long years, we finally got to paddle Georgica Pond, a magnificent body of water that is separated from the mighty Atlantic Ocean by a 100 foot sandbar. It's located between the Village of East Hampton and Wainscott and is managed by the East Hampton Town Trustees who are responsible for draining the pond and replenishing it with the water from the Atlantic Ocean. Why haven't we paddled for the last two years? The answer lies in the fact that this spectacular, 290-acre coastal lagoon has been threatened by macro and blue-green algae blooms, fish kills, and low oxygen levels.  The blooms caused by antiquated septic systems and the overuse of excessive nutrients contained in fertilizers produce toxins that are not safe. In addition to these blooms, the shoreline invasion of Phragmites autralis, a non-native grass to East Hampton, further adds to the degradation and health of the pond. We used to crab in the pond for Blue Claws, but not any more. Crabbing, fishing, and swimming have been prohibited. The toxins that the blue-green algae produces are dangerous and can be fatal. So far this year, due to the diligent work of the Town Trustees and  the Friends of Georgica Pond, the water has been safe to paddle. Once the weather gets warmer, however, that might not be the case. On Saturday, we launched our 12 foot canoes from the rest stop on Montauk Highway. It took us 50 minutes to paddle to the sandbar where we set up our beach chairs and hoisted our umbrella. There was a fog creeping in from the south, but we ate our picnic lunch and enjoyed the smell of the ocean and the sounds of the waves. Within an hour though, the fog grew thicker and we were unable to see some of the mansions that lined the eastern shoreline of the pond. It was time to head back. As we got closer to the northern half of the pond, the fog thinned out so we decided to explore one of the coves. To our amazement, we came upon a family of Canada geese. Further into the cove, a mother swan and her newly born cygnets were resting in the sun. The birdlife on Georgica Pond is plentiful including, but not limited to: Canada geese, swans, kingfishers, red-winged blackbirds, ospreys, giant blue herons, egrets, and a variety of ducks.   We felt incredibly lucky to have been witness to the springtime arrival of the baby geese and swans. Hopefully, the solutions to keep the pond healthy will work so that generations to come will be able to enjoy the wonders of this amazing body of water.

On the evening of May 23rd, 2016, I attended and spoke at The International Dyslexia Association's Long Island Branch "Right To Read" Scholarship Fundraiser in Huntington, New York.

It was a great evening, filled with awesome people, great kids, and lots of fun raffle prizes. I ended up winning "The Giving Tree" that was ladened with lotto tickets.

Many of the children that attended were dyslexic. For them, receiving a first edition, signed autographed copy of Stoked - 1969, my second  young adult novel about a fourteen-year-old boy with dyslexia, was a big deal. One of the boys expressed to me how excited he was that he had finally learned to read and that he was going to read my book all by himself. For anyone who has experienced the struggles of learning how to read, or living with someone who struggles with language, this was a heartfelt, moving moment because for many of us, learning how to read changes our lives forever. It's not about talent, but rather hard work and perseverance.

Everyone who gathered at the event did so to help raise money for dyslexic children whose families don't have the financial resources to provide the individualized instruction necessary for their child to learn how to read.

All contributions were and are tax deductible! So if you'd like to give a gift for this important scholarship you can contact Dr. Connie Russo at: http://www.lidyslexia.org or send checks made out to IDALIB and mail to:  IDALIB - 1488 Deer Park Avenue, North Babylon, New York 11703

The International Dyslexia Association "provides a brighter future for a child with dyslexia one reading lesson at a time."

Remember - It's never to late to learn how to read!!!!!!

 

The International Dyslexia Association - Long Island Branch has invited me to be the Keynote Speaker at their annual fundraiser in recognition of DYSLEXIA AWARENESS AND THEIR "RIGHT TO READ" SCHOLARSHIP.

Date: Monday, May 23rd

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Place: Milto's Fine Italian Restaurant

315 Walt Whitman Road

Huntington Station, New York

Cost: Tax Deductible Donation $60.00 which includes appetizer, pasta dinner, soft drinks and dessert.

There will be great food, entertainment, and lots of chances to win valuable prizes.

MUSIC AND RAFFLES!

"The IDALIB mission is to raise the general awareness of dyslexia and award scholarships to dyslexic children whose families don't have the financial resources to provide the individualized instruction necessary for their child to learn how to read. "

All contributions are tax deductible!

You can pay for tickets in advance on the ISALIB website: http://www.lidyslexia.org

or send checks made out to IDALIB and mail to:

IDALIB

1488 Deer Park Avenue, ! 190

North Babylon, New York 11703

The International Dyslexia Association "provides a brighter future for a child with dyslexia one reading lesson at a time."

 

  Date: August 20, 2016 Place: Atlantic Avenue, Amagansett Time: 5:00 p.m. start Distance: 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, and 1 course Register: Afternoon of event or at active.com Proceeds to benefit the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue organization

  East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue members are joining with members from Swim Across America to help make waves to fight cancer. Date: July 9, 2016 Place: Fresh Pond Beach, Amagansett Time: 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., ceremony to follow Distances: 3 mile and 6 mile courses Register at: http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/ Proceeds to benefit Fighting Chance and local beneficiaries in support of cancer research, prevention, and treatment. Join us to "Make Waves To Fight Cancer."  

  The Montauk Playhouse Community Center, in partnership with East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue, is offering one of the few safe opportunities to swim an ocean race on the Eastern seaboard with certified Ocean Lifeguards to protect you. The challenge offers distance categories for all ages and abilities, making it appropriate for youth, recreational, and competitive swimmers. Participants swim along Montauk's majestic oceanfront, ending their swim at the popular Ditch Plains Beach. Date: July 23, 2016 Place: Ditch Plains Parking Lot,  Montauk Time/Distance: 1/2 mile course 8:00 a.m. start 1 mile course 7:30 a.m. start 5K course 6:30 a.m. start Register: At active,com or morning of event Proceeds benefit the construction of the Aquatic Center at the Montauk Community Playhouse