Lewes council extends Quest beach shack at Roosevelt Inlet

Matt Carter of Quest Adventures says despite COVID-19, his first summer operating a beach rentals shack at Roosevelt Inlet was a success. 

It was so successful, he sought and gained approval to operate on the beach at the same location for two more summers.

In making a pitch to Lewes Mayor and City Council for an extension, Carter highlighted some of the positive things his staff did while manning the small shack.

“We made numerous good decisions and prevented mishaps because we had eyes on the water,” he said, noting his staff provided information about tides, winds and weather forecasts at the unguarded beach. They also documented 11 water saves of people who were not customers, Carter said, sometimes paddling out as far as a quarter-mile to help someone who was stranded and couldn’t make their way back in. They also provided shade and water, and rendered first aid for people who suffered foot lacerations and burns from the hot sand.

“Overall, we had a very positive response from people,” he said.

The small shack offers beach chairs and umbrellas, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and floating mats. Staff also sets up bonfires for people who make reservations in advance.

In addition to cleaning up the bonfires, Carter said his staff also cleared the remnants of eight other bonfires in an effort to keep the beach clean.

Neighboring Lewes Yacht Club provided positive comments to Mayor Ted Becker.

One aspect of the shack Carter is particularly proud of is the ability to provide beach access chairs for free. Through Mason’s Mobility Mission, Carter has acquired four chairs, which can be reserved for anyone with mobility issues to access the beach. He said the chairs were reserved 50-plus days during the summer season.

Mayor and city council voted 4-1 to allow City Manager Ann Marie Townshend and City Solicitor Glenn Mandalas to draw up a two-year contract with Carter. The contract will include an opt-out after the first year of the contract if certain expectations are not met.

The only member of council opposed was Deputy Mayor Bonnie Osler.

“I have no doubt [Matt] is providing a great service and a popular one. As I said last year, I really do oppose the commercialization of Lewes’ beaches. And I see this as that. It’s nothing against [Matt] or [his] enterprise. It’s a matter of principle,” she said.