Swimmers now have their own designated area on Folly Beach and the lifeguards have the power to enforce certain rules.

Last night council passed an ordinance that creates a swim zone and keeps everyone else out.

"Surfers and lifeguards traditionally have not gotten along but there's really no reason for that. If we can give them their own zoning area, the smaller area swimming only and no surfing, would be much easier to enforce," said Charleston County Parks and Recreation's Safety Program Assistant Manager, John VonRonsenberg.

"The no surf zone used to be between 7th Street West and 6th Street East which is much wider then it will be under this ordinance," said Folly Beach Council member, Laura Beck.

Making the area safer for both.

"You have the propensity for surfboards to hit people in the head. We've had fins go through people, cut up their legs and cut up their arms," said VonRonsenberg.

The ordinance also gives lifeguards more authority to protect the beach.

"When they blow the whistle and they tell you to come out of the water you need to come out of the water," said Folly Beach Mayor Carl Beckman, Jr.

Violators of the swim zone rules could be arrested and face a $500 fine.

The city will also enforce no surfing 200 feet from the pier which is a state law.

The surf zone will be enforced in season from May 15 - September 15 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

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