Here’s Why Is the Ocean More Dangerous During Local Summer At The Jersey Shore

Labor Day weekend on the Jersey Shore was a great one. Sunny skies, light breezes, backyard BBQs, pool parties, and a day off from work for some.  But at our ocean beaches, it was tragic as multiple people lost their lives in the rough surf.  Scores of others were rescued.

Labor Day kicks off WRAT's annual celebration of Local Summer. The weather is still great for going to the beach and there are much fewer crowds.  The problem is that the ocean is more dangerous than in June, July, and August.

The reason for this is the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins in June but usually gets ramped up by late August and early September, according to NPR.

According to Harry Harsin, the Director of Beach Patrol in Belmar, who stopped by the show, "the hurricanes can be very far off the Jersey Shore but still create very dangerous surf conditions".

That's what happened on Labor Day weekend. 

"Think about it.  People associate hurricanes with rain and wind but the weather is beautiful; sunny and warm.  It looks like a great beach day.  But, because there's a hurricane hundred of miles out in the ocean, the ocean front is dangerous."

"Adding to the problem is the fact that many of the local lifeguards are college students and in the middle of August and certainly by September they head back to school so our guard staff is much smaller."

What's the general public to do to stay safe during Local Summer? 

"The first rule is never swim in the ocean if a lifeguard is not present.  But we understand that people don't do that.  So the next rule is, don't swim alone."

Mr. Harsin adds, "The ocean can be deceiving.  In general, the most dangerous time tends to be when the tide is coming back in.  As water rushes back to the ocean, lifeguards look for spots that are different colors than the rest of the water.  That is a good indication that a rip current is in that area.

Usually, that water looks darker because the water is deeper there.  As lifeguards, we're trained to look for those spots. And we often try to keep people out of those areas by blowing that annoying whistle."

If caught in a situation where you feel like your body is being pulled away from the shore quickly, Harsin advises, "Don't panic.  Don't fight it.  Let the current take you.  As soon as it stops pulling, which it will swim to the left or the right.

Don't try to return to the beach in the same spot because you'll just get pushed back and you'll tire out.  When you're a bit to the side of where you were, then you can get back to safety."

Harry adds, "Don't forget.  If there's no lifeguard, a surfer is your best friend."

Hear our full morning show chat on why the ocean is more dangerous after Labor Day here:

There are certain foods that clearly define the state of New Jersey. I grew up on Long Island and at our deli counters there was this meat in the deli case covered in burlap and in red lettering it said, “Taylor Ham.”

I just assumed it was like most hams offered at the deli counter, but I never bothered ordering it because I was stuck on the favorite types of I grew up with, like Virginia Ham, Black Forest Ham, Boiled ham…etc.

I moved to Monmouth County New Jersey back in 1996 for a new job at a brand new radio station called The WRAT, and all I heard around the office while people were ordering breakfast was this mysterious meat product called “Pork Roll.”

My new co-worker, Maryann, immediately gave me a good old fashioned New Jersey education on how to order a breakfast sandwich in this part of the Garden State.

She said, “Next time you get a breakfast sandwich, you ask for pork roll, egg, and cheese on a hard roll with salt, pepper, ketchup.” Or the abbreviated version: PEC SPK. I caught on rather quickly.

This sliceable slab of meat is made with pork, sugar, all kinds of spices, and then smoked and processed and ready for the masses to consume.

I remember one of our first outings in Monmouth County to grab the office peeps their breakfast order at the local deli- bagel place up the road.

We walked in, and when I saw the “pork roll” in the burlap bag in the glass case, I said, “Oh, that’s Taylor Ham, I’ve seen that back home in New York.” She hushed me up fast and said sternly, “NO, it’s pork roll, not Taylor Ham.”

Now here we are 27 years later. Maryann has moved on and I still live here in New Jersey, and I am still eating PORK ROLL.

I’m not looking to start a Civil War between the North Jersey and the South Jersey folks on what to call this controversial meat product, I’m just offering to tip you off to a bunch of places suggested by the pork roll loving people on my favorite food sites, pages, and message boards

Let’s see where these folks suggest we go for a delicious pork roll breakfast sandwich in Monmouth and Ocean County.

Definitely one of the best pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches in the area, maybe even in Ocean County. Most everyone who chose Jovo's said the sandwich is perfectly stacked with melted cheese, not just a slice or 2 of cheese thrown onto the sandwich. High marks all the way for Jovo's!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuOgKuCn3m0/

I know what you're thinking because I thought the same thing. "One of my favorite donut shops makes a kick ass pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich?" Apparently I'm missing out on an incredible sandwich. Kyle Aronofsky was the first person to tip me off about the PEC here.  On a scale of 1 to 10, Kyle, aka "The Pork Roll Yid" gives place a score of 9.2 . The more you know.

Old school no bulls**t at this place. I've been coming here for decades. Jay R, sums it up best: "This is a NJ classic and has survived all these years for a reason. Go there. Sit at the counter. Chat with your neighbor and servers. Enjoy a delicious meal." Cash only, ATM on the premises.

They have great baked goods, especially the peanut butter and jelly donuts, but now I know they serve a phenomenal pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich. According to The Pork Roll Yid, this sandwich rates an 8.8. A good balance of well cooked eggs (he hates dead eggs, meaning way over cooked), 7 to 9 slices of thinly sliced pork roll,  on a fresh roll with melted white American cheese.

I'm going to grab one on Saturday morning.

Thanks to Diana, Ken, Kyle, and Steve for the heads up on this place. They all give this place major props for the PEC. Diana has tried some of the omelettes offered here and loved each of them, saying, "They're perfectly cooked with an even ratio of items added to the omelettes."

Andre said to use the app to order the best breakfast in town. Its easy and you can customize your order and track your food being made so you can pick up your food at the moment it's finished being made. It's a good tip so you never have to wait!

Adrian and Matthew believe that Beckman's should get a gold medal for their PEC breakfast.

https://www.beckmansdeli.com/

They make a great breakfast sandwich! Plus, they have an $8.88 Lunch special Monday through Friday.

Sunday brunch never tasted so good with this Jersey staple. The Good Morning pork roll, egg, & American cheese & chopped chives with a mimosa please. The Kitchen Sinker gives you double pork roll, double cheese, and the addition of bacon.

Pig out on pork roll sandwiches at the Committed Pig.

Mark's makes nice hearty stuffed sandwiches, Tortas Mexicanas, tacos, and unbelievably delicious breakfast sandwiches. The pork roll and egg sandwiches with a nice cup of fresh coffee is a great start to your day, and the people there are very nice.

Many folks who work or live in the area say you can get a great breakfast sandwich here. Order the bacon, and egg, and cheese, the pork roll, egg, and cheese, or the sausage, egg, and cheese. You can't go wrong with any of these choices.  If you stop by for lunch, the chicken salad is highly recommended.

Rick, originally from Colts Neck has been coming here since he was a kid. He raved about everything they make, especially the breakfast sandwiches. The vintage building that houses Colts Neck General Store & Deli is charming and so are the people who work there, especially Mary, the woman who has owned the business since 2017.  I love the good old fashioned vibe of this 1849 era establishment.

Excellent Arepas, Empanadas, Tostones, and Pork Roll breakfast sandwiches. The bagels are fluffy and have the perfect texture, so I'm ordering my PEC on a nice fresh bagel. Come on by this friendly family owned establishment and grab breakfast and lunch.

Whether you order the classic Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese on a Kaiser roll, or you choose to grab the omelette loaded with diced pork roll, and lots of American cheese, you're getting a filling meal at this fine establishment. The breakfast menu is insane, and the staff is chill and attentive.

I think they do a pretty solid PEC here. I like my pork roll a little on the thinner side, and that's exactly what I get at this place. On a side note, the make a killer liverwurst on rye with sliced onion...So darn delicious!

Holy mackeral! I lost count of the amount of people who reached out to tell me  that Johnny's is their favorite. Don't forget to visit the food truck in Asbury - North Eats - 1600 Ocean Ave.  The Pork Roll Yid has Johnny's at #1 with a 9.5 rating on Johnny's "Pulled Pork Roll" sandwich, and a 9.3 for the PEC.

Jimmy R. lives and works in the area and says' Lenny's Pork roll, egg, and cheese rocks his socks off. He's not alone, because plenty of other folks chose Lenny's for the PEC. You'll find this fantastic place in the Silverton section of Toms River.

On side note: They make amazing homemade sausage. I like the broccoli rabe & mozzarella chicken sausage the best.

I'm never shocked when people suggest this place as one of their absolute favorite places to grab an extraordinary sandwich. There isn't a thing on the menu I wouldn't try. The PEC is rated a 9.4 by Kyle, the Pork Roll Yid, and just about the same or higher with everyone who reached out to put their vote in for The Speakeatery.

I had no idea they served breakfast sandwiches. Their specialty sandwiches are very good, and the good news is, the Pork Roll, Egg, & Cheese served on a Kaiser roll is a favorite of several folks who begged me to include Breakin' Bread.

Open since 2019, Dune Donuts serves outstanding fresh donuts, and their bagels are the perfect canvas for the variety of breakfast sandwiches they make Tuesday through Sunday. Several locals mentioned that Dune makes one of the best PEC sandwiches in Spring Lake.  I would love to try a PEC on their Inside Out Everything Bagel. 

The first thing that'll make you smile is the staff. They are very friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The second thing, the Pork Roll, Egg, & Cheese and pretty much any breakfast sandwich they make. I had a chicken salad wrap from here, so I guess the next Howell visit will be for breakfast at Sorrentino's 2.

Locals try to keep this place a secret, but that's nearly impossible. The pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich is so good. That's not just my opinion, it's the opinion of the majority of folks who've eaten it. Kyle Aronofsky, aka, The Pork Roll Yid", gave Fast break a 9.1  score for their PEC.

Cindy, the owner, and her staff are friendly and the food is hearty and delicious!

Last time I had to go to Barnegat I stopped here on the recommendation of a few food friends. Holy Moly, was the PEC a treat!  I ordered a double egg PEC, it was perfectly stacked with the pork roll on the thinner side and the cheese melted perfectly. I wish I lived closer.

If you love a stack of pork roll, then slater's has you covered. Last time I shared a PEC article,  I didn't include Slater's, and the verbal beatdown was harsh. I'll never make that mistake again. Bring your appetite, these breakfast sandwiches are huge.  The PEC is one of the best selling sandwiches on the menu.

This lovely place has fantastic food and a welcoming staff.  I love the Norwegian sandwich with smoked salmon! The PEC is extra special because you can get it a variety of ways in addition to the traditional PEC on a roll. Any way you order the PEC, you're getting a quality sandwich.

How can I not include the Allenwood General Store! They were voted Best Pork Roll by the RAT Rock Nation in the 2021 WRAT Shore Awards.

Bart M. and a bunch of other folks swear by the PEC breakfast sandwich at Luigi's. I've eaten subs from Luigi's and they were packed with quality meats & cheeses, so it's no surprise that Luigi's winds up on the list. They also make their amazing fresh sausage the same day I purchase it. Good stuff at this neighborhood store.