OCEAN CITY--South Jersey shore communities are preparing for dangerous surf conditions as Hurricane Earl moves along the eastern sea board.

Lifeguards here at the 1st street and beach First Aid Station are working extra hours. That's because they're watching over the surfers and body boarders as they ride unusually high waves. Courtesy of Hurricane Earl.

"The Fire Department will respond to a water rescue here after hours. But having more guards stay here until 7pm, that way if there is a 9-1-1 call that comes in we're a lot closer to the action than they are," said Graham Parker, Lifeguard with the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

As a precaution, Ocean City Beach Patrol moved their stands and equipment back by the sand dunes.

Surfers and body boarders were taking advantage of the high waves. The Kluchnick's from Haddon Heights are visiting spent the day at the beach.

"It was pretty rough it was choppy. Strong current. Fun," said Brian Kluchnick of Haddon Heights.

He took extra precautions while his kids played in the ocean.

"Keeping them close to me and watching the waves as they come in and where they are in relation to the waves," said Kluchnick.

But the surf is expected to get worse as the eye of the storm passes the Jersey shore to the east. Prompting beach patrol to take strong measures and closing the water to swimmers.

"As Hurricane earl approaches the coast many lifeguards are closing down the beaches. They're not doing this to ruin people's labor day weekend but help keep the public safe," said Parker

Lifeguard Graham Parker says people won't even be allowed to get their feet wet.

"As I said before we're all about preventative lifeguarding. The last thing we want to have happen is someone get hurt or worst out there on the water on our watch as we are watching them," Parker

Though the holiday weekend is not expected to be a total wash out. It might be delayed for a day as the storm moves along the Jersey Coast.