All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: Go to the beach! Seriously, go to the beach. This is the thing that makes Venice the most special place on earth. Sure we have great culture and people, but it is the magnificent Pacific that makes it all happen. This three-mile beach is manicured daily and the lifeguards are on duty, so grab a towel and head down to the sand. You can rent surf, body and skim boards at several spots if you do not have your own. Or, grab a Frisbee or a ball for some catch. There is plenty of room to play soccer or football and we even have several sets of volleyball nets. Perhaps go for a swim and stretch or just do the old fashioned “walk on the beach.” Marvel at the planet’s largest ocean or meditate into your own universe, either way the beach has the perfect spot for everyone.

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: EVERYONE

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

ADMISSION FEE: Free

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

LIVE BEACH CAMS/WEATHER/SURF REPORT: http://www.watchthewater.org/beach.cfm?bid=15

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

The Venice Breakwater is an acclaimed local surf spot in Venice, located north of the Venice Pier and Lifeguard Headquarters, and south of the Santa Monica Pier. This spot is sheltered on the north by an artificial barrier, the breakwater, consisting of an extending sand bar, piping, and large rocks at its end. This spot has differing breaks depending on swell intensity, swell direction, tide and time of the day. (Above info from: Wikepedia.org)

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

About the Venice Breakwater: (Following insert from http://wikimapia.org)

Built by Abbot Kinney in 1905 to protect his amusement park pier, this is one of the few bits and pieces remaining of his dream community, Venice of America. The only place on the beach to see waves break on both sides. Also has the finest sand for sand sculpture. In summer only the north break is even halfway ridable, but when the winter storm swells come in, the five to seven foot point-break type waves at the south end are first rate.

Location: End of Windward Ave. North of the Venice Pier.

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

Central Surf Report: 310-578-0478

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

The Venice Pier: (Following info from Coastal Conservancy)

Location: End of Washington Blvd. South of the Venice Breakwater

The 1,300-foot Venice Pier, built in 1963, was falling to pieces by the 1980s. It was closed and scheduled for demolition in 1986. Venice residents rallied to the cause, and after years of perseverance the pier was restored and reopened in 1997. The restored pier is fully accessible, with special cutouts for fishing from wheelchairs.

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

BEACH WATER QUALITY REPORT: http://www.healthebay.org/brcv2/default.aspx

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

SUNSETS ON THE BEACH

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

SURF/BOOGIE BOARD/SKIM BOARD/BEACH UMBRELLA RENTALS INFO COMING SOON:

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

ANNUAL BEACH EVENTS:

This is the best way to start off the new year in Venice. Join the Venice Penguin Swim Club at the Breakwater, at the end of Windward, every January 1st and greet the New Year with a Big Splash! Sign up starts at 11:00am on the beach and there is no entry charge to participate. The first man and woman to complete a 500-yard swim around a buoy and back will be crowned the penguin prince and princess. Snacks and hot drinks provided by the Sidewalk Café. For more information, call Mary McGurk at 310-821-8136 or SCAQ at 310-390-5700.

Venice Surf and Skate Association Annual Surf-A-Thon every October.

BEACH WHEELCHAIRS FOR PUBLIC USE. 

Pat DeMar started the California Beach Wheelchair Program in 1993. Money has been donated by individuals and corporations to purchase over 34 beach wheelchairs which were donated to the lifeguards on California beaches.

For more information: 310 394-3261

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

RULES OF THE BEACH:

Do not touch, feed, or disturb any marine life on the beach. Animals on the beach are wild and may bite. If you see an injured animal on the beach, ask a lifeguard to call animal rescue. California Marine and Wild Life. 310-457-9453

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

No alcohol on the beach.

No smoking on the beach.

Throw your trash in the garbage bins or take it home with you. The worse thing I have seen in the water is a dirty diaper. Please don’t litter! Keep our home/beaches clean!

No fires except at the Dockweiler Beach or Cabrillo Beach fire rings.

Venice open from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

VISITOR SURVIVOR TIPS:

Beware of rip tides (strong flow of water near shore). More information on riptides below.

Respect the surfers. Stay south of the red flag.

Wear plenty of sunscreen.

Ask a lifeguard if you need more beach and water tips.

Click here for more visitor survivor tips.

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

Lifeguards are on the beach during daylight hours.

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

BEACH SAFETY: Following info from the L.A. County Beaches‘ website.

The Los Angeles County Lifeguards suggest using common sense when visiting the beach. Tragedy in the ocean can happen quickly therefore having knowledge of aquatic safety is crucial when coming to the beach. We suggest you use the following safety tips: 

  • Always swim near an open lifeguard station and never swim alone.
  • Check with the lifeguard for safe ocean and beach conditions.
  • Never dive into shallow water… Remember… Feet-first every time!
  • Use swim fins and a leash whenever bodyboarding.
  • Keep a safe distance from piers and rocks, and always obey warning signs.
  • Never throw sand and always fill in holes before you leave the beach.
  • Please do not litter…leave the beach cleaner than you found it!
  • Protect yourself from the sun…use sunscreen and wear a hat.
  • Respect other beach patrons and remember your beach manners.
  • The bicycle path is like a road…always look both ways before crossing!
  • If you, or someone in your group gets lost, always find the nearest lifeguard.
WHAT ARE RIP CURRENTS? Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches. / Rip currents typically form at breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as jetties and piers. / Rip currents are quite common and can be found on many surf beaches everyday.

WHY ARE RIP CURRENTS DANGEROUS? Rip currents pull people away from shore. / Rip current speeds can vary from moment to moment and can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the ocean. / Rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

WHAT ARE SOME CLUES THAT A RIP CURRENT MAY BE PRESENT? A channel of churning, choppy water. / A difference in water color/A line of foam moving seaward. / A break in the incoming wave pattern

WHAT IF I AM CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT? Stay calm / Do not try to swim against the current. / Escape the current by swimming in a direction parallel to shore. When free of the current, swim at an angle – away from the current – toward shore. / If you are unable to escape by swimming, float or tread water. When the current weakens, swim at an angle away from the current toward shore. / If at any time you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself; face the shore, call or wave for help.

Above rip tide info found on http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/Lifeguards/BchSftyRipCurrents.asp

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Contacts

LIFEGUARD DIVISION. 2300 Ocean Front Walk. Venice , CA 90291. Chief Lifeguard – Mike Frazer. Assistant Chief – Phil Topar. (310) 939-7200.

CENTRAL SECTION. 1642 Promenade. Santa Monica , CA 90401. Section Chief – Mickey Gallagher

RESCUE BOAT SECTION. 13851 Fiji Way. Marina Del Rey , CA 90292. Section Chief – Jon Moryl

For more info: http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/Lifeguards/Lifeguards.asp

All photos by Venice Paparazzi  Edizen Stowell.  Venice Paparazzi.  www.venicepaparazzi.com

 

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES:

Beaches and Harbors at 310-305-9546

Permit information from Beaches and Harbors 310-305-9503

Filming Information from Beaches and Harbors 310-305-9549

Life Guard Emergency: 310.394.3261 or 310.577.5700

HEAL THE BAY

SURFRIDER

NOTE: ALL PHOTOS BY VENICE PAPARAZZI’S EDIZEN STOWELL. If you wish to publish or reproduce the materials in any physical or digital form or use them, you must obtain prior written permission from the photographer. Contact Edizen

 

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