The city's Department of Parks and Recreation on Friday cautioned New Yorkers to be aware of the current if they plan to go to the beach this weekend. 

Strong currents moved surfers along in the waters off of the Rockaways Friday morning, a result of hurricanes that have battered the south.

But while the hurricanes may be out to sea, as the sun rose on Friday, the impacts were still making big waves locally.

“You see people in the water, they’re drifting a lot. That means the currents are strong,” surfer Alex Miles said. 

Rockaway Park administrator Eric Peterson said only approximately 50% of Rockaway Beach was open for swimming as of Friday, but noted that current conditions were not a factor for the closures.

He said the closures were due to dune construction and a lifeguard shortage. The parks department advised beachgoers to look out for fellow swimmers. 

"If someone looks like they are in trouble, call out for help,” Peterson said. “We do ask people to go to where you see a lifeguard on duty. If you see the red that says 'No Swimming,' that means do not swim there."

The city warned beachgoers not to swim alone. Rough conditions are expected to quiet down by the weekend.

(Spectrum News NY1)

On Friday morning, "No Swimming" signs lined a section of Rockaway Beach.

Still, surfers like the Romeo brothers said the ripple effect of the recent severe weather creates the best surf to ride waves. They said what’s bad for swimmers is great for them.

“Being on the east coast the waves don’t come as consistently as other places in the world, so when the hurricanes do come and the waves are here, we’re going to be out here every day,” Damin Romeo said.

The conditions are something the brothers said they train for year-round.

“When there’s warm weather and great waves, you can’t beat it,” Devin Romeo said.