Beach Safety Information

Every year, millions of people visit the North Carolina coast to experience the beauty of the beaches found here. Unfortnately, for the Koles Family, September 2006 brought a tragedy during their beach vacation. Kristina (Eena) Koles drowned as a result of a rip current, and her family created The Eena Project in her memory to educate others on rip currents and other beach-related hazards. Please take a few minutes to educate yourself and your family - it has saved lives!

Kristina's death was tragic and preventable. The Eena Project does not want any other family to experience what Kristina's family went through that day. Education on rip currents and water safety can help you have a wonderful vacation here in Holden Beach.

The beaches on Holden Beach do not have lifeguards. Check with the Holden Beach Town Hall at (910) 842-6488 to see if rip tides are present on the day you plan to go swimming in the ocean. Or, a daily reip tide report for the area is available from the NOAA Surf Zone Forecast. If you get caught in a rip tide that is pulling you away from shore, swim parallel to the shoreline until you get out of the current. DO NOT try to swim against the current back to shore.

Important Safety Tips:

• Check the ocean forecast and be aware that even on low risk days, rip currents can still exist. For more information about rip current forecasts, click here to visit NOAA.
• In case of emergency, dial 911.
• Bring your cell phone and know your exact location at the beach. In an emergency, to get the fastest response, a phone and address can save lives.
• Never swim alone, and also have someone on shore watching you.
• Educate yourself and your family on rip currents.

In case of emergency, dial 911.

For more information or to view
The Eena Project video, click here.