Rehoboth Beach Patrol kicks off summer season

Rehoboth Beach Patrol kicked off its 103rd season May 25, with the traditional bell-ringing ceremony.

But this year there was no bell, and the ceremony was in a new location, the lawn in front of the Pennsylvania Railroad house.

“You’re going to have to use your imagination [for the bell],” said Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills while officially ringing in the 2024 season. “The bell is a reminder of the commitment and professionalism of all our men and women of the beach patrol.”

For the past three years, Mills has rung the bell in front of the old beach patrol building on the Boardwalk at the foot of Baltimore Avenue. That building was recently torn down and the bell temporarily removed to make way for the brand-new headquarters that is slated to debut in the same location next summer.

For this season, lifeguards are operating from a makeshift location next to Grenoble Place, north of Virginia Avenue. There is a repurposed, air-conditioned shipping container for an office and two tents to provide shade. The board with daily assignments is now hanging outside.

EMS personnel are stationed at the visitors center at the Boardwalk and Delaware Avenue.

Rehoboth Beach Patrol leaders said the public will not see any change.

“The level of professionalism, the level of safety, is going to be the same,” said Rehoboth Beach Patrol Chief Derek Shockro. “Same great beach, same great lifeguards. Come on down and enjoy the beach.”

New Rehoboth Beach City Manager Taylour Tedder delivered his first remarks to the beach patrol.

“I’ve heard a lot about what you do. You might be the only city employees that the public interacts with, and I really appreciate how you deal with [them],” Tedder said.

Lifeguards will be on duty through three weeks following Labor Day in September. Guards are on their stands 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays, and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekends and holidays.