After being closed for six months due to storm damage, the Ocean Beach Pier reopened just in time – on July 1 – for the Fourth of July and another annual tradition, the San Diego Junior Lifeguards Pier Jump on July 10.

Parents and the public could also join in on the fun with a $150 minimum donation/ticket purchase, which benefits the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego. If jumping off the OB Pier is on your bucket list, you have another chance to do it this year. The second session of the San Diego Junior Lifeguards Pier Jump will take place on Aug. 7. Tickets and information are available at preventdrowningfoundation.org/events. These events are the only time jumping from the Ocean Beach Pier is allowed.

Space is limited to the first 100 people (18 and older) for each jump session (morning and afternoon). Proceeds from these events benefit the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego’s efforts to provide SDJG scholarships and free swimming lessons for underserved youth in San Diego. Follow @pdfsandiego on Instagram for updates on when ticket sales will open.

How will it work? Purchase tickets online at the desired time. On event day, check in at purchased ticket time with name, printed ticket, event waiver, and fins for your required safety lecture. Must wear swim fins. Must attend safety lecture. Must be a strong ocean swimmer; the swim to the beach after your jump is between 500-1,000 yards. Waiver form required at check-in.

PIER REOPENS

On Saturday, July 1, the City of San Diego reopened the Ocean Beach Pier following a six-month closure to allow time for repairs to damage caused by powerful winter storms. The reopening was ahead of the 57th anniversary of the pier’s grand opening on July 2, 1966.

The pier was closed on Jan. 6 and the City opted to wait until the winter storm season passed to hire a consultant to assess the damage. A visual assessment completed in early May determined that storms had caused minor damage to the pier’s railings and pump station, but that the pier remains structurally safe.

While necessary repairs to the pier’s facilities and railings have been completed, repairs to the pump station will continue for several weeks and will not impact public access. However, the pier’s restrooms will remain closed until the pump station repairs are complete.

With the reopening, the City continues to seek input on the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project, which aims to provide a long-term solution for the pier through a potential replacement. A 2018 study determined that the pier has reached the end of its service life and the City is engaging San Diegans on what they want to see for this landmark in the future.

On June 10, the City held the second in a series of community workshops to share information about the project and gather community feedback. That input is being used by the City’s engineering consultants to develop several design alternatives for the potential replacement of the pier. In developing design alternatives, several factors will be considered including operational usage, environmental permitting, sustainability, cost, and historical significance. Design alternatives are expected to be presented this fall and the preferred design alternative is anticipated to be chosen early next year.

After the preferred design alternative is selected, a detailed project schedule and cost estimate will be prepared. Currently, there is $8.4 million in state funding designated for the project and the City will pursue other state and federal grants.

Photos by Thomas Melville