Multiple shark sightings close Rockaway beaches to swimmers

News 12 was at Beach 91st Street where a surf camp for kids was being held during the day. Surfer Ethan Pelts says a shark swam right past him.

News 12 Staff

Jul 19, 2022, 9:33 PM

Updated 872 days ago

Share:

Multiple shark sighting closed all Rockaway beaches on Tuesday until further notice.
News 12 was at Beach 91st Street where a surf camp for kids was being held during the day. Surfer Ethan Pelts says a shark swam right past him.
“I was surfing out with my friend…and I thought I saw fin come up,” the 12-year-old said.
He says he saw the shark’s mouth before it swam away. Soon after, lifeguards and the NYPD ordered everyone out of the water.
There were other sightings on Beach 102nd Street and Beach 67th Street. The NYPD has not given a timeframe for when the beaches will reopen to swimmers.
There has been a rash of shark sightings at ocean beaches in recent weeks, including incidents in which some lifeguards were bit.