THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 2, 1996 TAG: 9609020046
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 63 lines
It was a surfer's dream but a lifeguard's nightmare.
As the sounds of Huey Lewis and The News thumped across the sands, the constant trill of lifeguards' whistles was a stern reminder of the effects of Hurricane Edouard.
The American Music Festival played second fiddle to the rare 8-foot waves cresting at the Oceanfront Sunday afternoon. Surfers tried to catch the perfect swell, while others just wanted to enjoy the ocean.
But they weren't allowed.
A strong undertow coupled with a heavy surf advisory had lifeguards scrambling to keep swimmers out of the churning waters. Senior guard Chris Arline said he had been going in after people all day.
``They've been pretty good-natured about it,'' said Arline as he strode the length of the beach from the fishing pier to 16th Street. ``It's better that they go home with everyone they came with.''
Arline walked past several children who were staring glumly at the tempting surf and approached Joe and Cecilia Ortiz of New York. They stood in each other's arms facing the ocean in calf-deep water until Arline politely told them to move.
Reluctantly, they obeyed.
``This is what we came here for - the beach,'' Joe Ortiz said. ``But that's okay. We know it's not safe enough.''
Vanda Ngo of Arlington came up to Arline and asked him when she and seven other family members could go in the water. ``In about two hours, maybe, the advisory will be lifted,'' he said. ``But you have to wait and see.''
She sighed. Deeply.
``This is the only vacation we ever have,'' she complained after he left. ``We drove at 6 a.m. and have been waiting all day. I'm kind of upset.''
Beachgoers found creative ways to spend their time. One family danced the Macarena in the sand. Some made sandcastles or buried each other. Others caught up on their reading, napping or tanning.
Mark and Susan McGee of Manassas watched their three sons run in and out of the water - going in only to ankle-depth - at 11th Street.
``We went in on Friday but they shooed us out constantly,'' said Mark McGee. ``I feel like we're wasting money if we can't go swimming.''
But by 3 p.m., swimmers had their wish. As the advisory lifted, gleeful children and smiling adults ran into the now-calmer waters.
While Huey Lewis and The News played hits from the '80s to an appreciative audience estimated at 3,000 to 4,000, beachgoers were able to get what they came for.
``The most important thing is that no one's been hurt this weekend,'' said Arline. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by MORT FRYMAN photos/The Virginian-Pilot
Marvin Melendez, foreground, his son Marvin Jr, middle, and Daniel
Gonzales traveled more than three hours to hit the beach at the
Oceanfront, and then weren't allowed to swim because of the heavy
surf advisory caused by Hurricane Edouard.
Color photo
Huey Lewis played second fiddle to Edouard.
KEYWORDS: HURRICANE EDOUARD AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL by CNB