By KARL E CUPID Tobago Bureau Monday, March 24 2008

Several beaches in Tobago reopened to the public yesterday under the supervision of lifeguards. Lifeguard supervisor Michael Baker said beach-lovers could return to the shores where lifeguards were stationed as the sea had calmed considerably since monster waves pounded the beaches on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, damaging fishing boats.

Baker said Pigeon Point beach was ideal for bathing, however, the no bathing restriction remained in force at Grange Bay with caution advisories for those who went to Mt Irvine.

In Mt Irvine people can bathe but the sea floor is extremely rocky, there is no sandy area, and bathers could sustain sprains or other injuries to their feet and ankles,” Baker warned. He said the conditions at Mt Irvine, where rocks and other debris were deposited on the sea floor by powerful undercurrents which accompanied the turbulent waves of the past three days, would remain for several days or longer until “nature does its repair work.” At Store Bay in Crown Point bathing was allowed but with strict supervision by the lifeguards.

“Anytime the waves reach beyond three metres we will have to close the beach (at Store Bay) again,” he said. In the east and north east districts of Speyside, Charlotteville, Castara, Parlatuvier, it was reported that some persons returned to the beaches but in small numbers.

Several beaches in Tobago were closed to the public late Thursday afternoon as waves, reaching up to 20 feet in height in some instances, particularly along the north west coast at Black Rock, Mt Irvine, Grange Bay, and at Store Bay in the south west end, pounded the shoreline spraying water across the roads in several places.