Lifeguard Service Starts on Nova Scotia Beaches

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.

Provincial Beaches with lifeguards:

• Clam Harbour (weekends only), Dollar Lake, Lawrencetown, Martinique, Queensland, Rainbow Haven beaches, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Mavillette Beach, Digby Co. (weekends only)
• Port Maitland Beach, Lake Ellenwood Beach and Lake Milo Boat Club, Yarmouth Co.
• Aylesford Lake, Kings Co.
• Bayswater and Rissers beaches, Lunenburg Co.
• Heather Beach, Cumberland Co.
• Melmerby Beach, Pictou Co.
• Bayfield and Pomquet beaches, Antigonish Co.
• Dominion and Mira Gut beaches, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
• Point Michaud, Richmond Co.
• Inverness and Port Hood beaches, Inverness Co.