A man who was sucked into a strong rip current was rescued by lifeguards in Long Beach Tuesday.

Lifeguards were not on duty at the time, but some who witnessed the man in trouble were able to make the save. The rescued man was seen being taken off the beach on a stretcher but is expected to be OK. 

Even though there were sunbathers and swimmers along the shore Tuesday, beaches in Long Beach are actually closed. 

"The season's over…the water is bad. We have rip currents in the water," says head lifeguard Paul Gillespie.   

Many of the beachgoers who spoke with News 12 Long Island said they would be staying on dry land after seeing the dramatic beach rescue.

"The water is rough and there are no lifeguards after Labor Day. They should rethink that," says Michael Santora, of Roslyn Heights. 

Long Beach will not have lifeguards on duty until Memorial Day 2018. Jones Beach will have lifeguards on duty until Sept. 17.