NOTE: A list of beaches with lifeguards contracted by the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage follows the release.
Nova Scotians can enjoy provincial supervised beaches this summer under the watchful eye of lifeguards from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily starting Saturday, July 1.
“We’re looking forward to another safe season of summer fun at the province’s beaches,” said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine. “We ask beachgoers to practise the highest levels of safety when swimming and doing other water sports, and obey lifeguards’ instructions.”
Nova Scotia lifeguards are fully certified and attend training before the season begins to ensure they have technical and physical skills to do water rescue and promote water safety.
“After a week of training at Aylesford Lake, I can’t wait for us to get onto the beaches for opening this Canada Day,” said Hannah McLean, a senior guard and the beach captain at Melmerby Beach Provincial Park in Pictou County. “We really hope to see everyone out visiting our beautiful beaches!”
Since 1973, the lifeguard service has maintained a perfect record of no drownings on supervised beaches during supervised hours. It aims to maintain this record.
“We are hoping for another safe season, but are preparing staff for any incident that could occur,” said Paul D’Eon, director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service. “We urge all beachgoers to swim between the red and yellow flags that designate the supervised area.”
The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service and the Lifesaving Society, Nova Scotia Branch, are contracted by the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage to provide supervision at select Nova Scotia beaches. They also guard some federal and municipal beaches. A complete list is available at www.nsls.ns.ca.
Source: Release