Rep. Todd Hunter: Let’s help one another enjoy our South Texas beaches safely

As the weather continues to heat up and our beaches become more crowded with Coastal Bend residents and visitors alike, our communities are working together to ensure beachgoers take the precautions needed to enjoy those beaches safely.

Last year, I authored and passed House Concurrent Resolution 46, calling on Texas to recognize Beach Safety and Rip Current Awareness Month each April. We also passed House Bill 3807 to enact requirements for signs and, at certain times, lifeguards on beaches. Throughout this month, coastal communities have launched their own efforts to increase public awareness of beach safety.

These awareness campaigns are important because many beach visitors, especially if they have not spent much time on the coast, may lack more than a passing knowledge of rip currents. Rip currents have an average speed of around one to two feet per second, but some can be as fast as eight feet per second. Many swimmers are caught off guard by the sensation of being pulled out to sea and react by attempting to swim directly to shore, putting themselves at risk of exhaustion and drowning. Signs that a rip current may be present include a break in the wave pattern, a visible channel of choppy, churning water, a line of foam or debris moving seaward, and a difference in the color of water.

In April 2019, 18-year-old Je’Sani Smith was swept away by a rip current at Whitecap Beach in Corpus Christi. Although he was a great athlete and swimmer, the rip current was stronger.

In Je’Sani’s memory, his parents, Kiwana and Terry Denson, created the Je’Sani Smith Foundation to help spread the message about the dangers of coastal hazards. The foundation is designed to provide education, awareness, and water skills training on beach safety, seaward-flowing water currents, and other coastal hazards. This wonderful family worked closely with us to help push for greater beach-safety awareness measures at the Texas Capitol last year.

The most important goal of this awareness campaign is to save lives. In addition, we hope to show that our coastal communities take safety seriously, which will help us continue to draw more visitors here. As John La Rue, President and CEO of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, said recently, "Educating visitors about beach safety and the dangers of rip currents can only enhance their Corpus Christi experience.”

Our work here is not done. I hope members of our community will continue to share your experiences and your ideas for ways that policymakers can make our beaches safer. Most significantly, please make sure your family and friends visiting our beaches are fully aware of rip currents and other potential dangers. All of us can play a role in keeping our beaches safe and welcoming for all who visit.

State Rep. Todd Hunter, a Republican from Corpus Christi, represents District 32 in the Texas House of Representatives.