Lifeguard Stabbed by Beach Umbrella Shares Recovery Journey

An 18-year-old lifeguard from New Jersey, Alex Kaus, recently recounted the frightening experience that nearly took her life while on duty at Asbury Park’s Third Avenue Beach last month. She was impaled by a metal pole from a beach umbrella.

“Physically, I’m doing pretty well,” Kaus said in an interview. It was a freak accident that unfolded when a sudden gust of wind blew her off her lifeguard stand, causing her to fall onto the pointed end of a 1-inch metal pole.

A fellow lifeguard discovered her lying on the ground with the pole embedded in her left shoulder. Asbury Park’s fire chief mentioned that first responders had to cut the umbrella’s stake to facilitate her transport to the hospital.

Three weeks after this terrifying incident, reports suggest that Kaus has returned to her job, although she is currently filling a different role—checking beach badges—as she prepares for her upcoming semester at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

“I want to be at least two weeks in the stands before I have to go back to school,” she noted, adding that she’s awaiting medical clearance before returning to her role as a lifeguard.

This summer marks Kaus’s second year at Asbury Park Beach, a spot she chose because of its vibrant atmosphere. “I knew I liked it here and wanted some kind of action,” she explained.

Despite the attention surrounding her accident, Kaus prefers to keep the focus on her recovery. “I’m definitely one of those kinds of ‘It’s all good’,” she expressed. She’s immensely thankful for her colleagues who were there during her time of need. “I’m really grateful to the people who were with me—my colleagues, Liz and Noah, Patty and Colin. They were all there,” she added.

Kaus hopes that her experience will highlight the important role lifeguards play in ensuring safety at beaches across the nation. “When people appreciate us as lifeguards, we appreciate it,” she said, emphasizing their daily commitment to keeping beachgoers safe.