News release

Lifeguard Service Begins 28th Season

Sport and Recreation Commission

The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service begins supervising 15 Nova Scotia beaches this year on Saturday, July 1.

Jane Purves, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission, said she looks forward to another safe season.

"I am extremely proud of the lifeguards' professionalism and commitment to training and education," said the minister. "They do an excellent job."

This is the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service's 28th season. Since the service began guarding selected beaches around the province, no one has drowned during supervised hours.

Once again, lifeguards will be provided with cellular telephones through the Connected For Safety partnership with MTT Mobility. Cell phones enhance lifeguards' ability to respond quickly in beach emergencies.

The 15 beaches across Nova Scotia are supervised from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, from July 1 to Aug. 27.

The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service is a joint project of the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission, which provides funding, and the Lifesaving Society-Nova Scotia Branch, which is responsible for operations.

NOTE: Backgrounders on the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service and the beaches supervised are available below:

  • About 60 lifeguards, many of whom are university students, are employed by the lifeguard service annually.

  • An estimated 250,000 individuals visit beaches supervised by the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service each year. About 100 rescues take place each season, and countless more injuries are prevented by lifeguard intervention. Last year, lifeguards made nearly 10,000 proactive and reactive public interventions.

  • All lifeguard staff hold National Lifeguard, Standard First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation certification.

  • All beach captains attend a one-day pre-season training session while all staff attend a four-day intensive training camp.

  • Lifeguards participate in community projects throughout the season.

  • The service operates a lifeguard exchange with the city of Wollongong, Australia.

  • The service hosts its annual surf lifesaving championships at Rissers Beach on Aug. 29. This competition is part of a series. Lifeguards also compete across Canada and the United States.

  • An All-Woman lifeguard competition will be held at Rissers Beach on Tuesday, July 18.

Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service: Supervised Beaches 2000

The Western Province

  • Queensland Beach is located 43 kilometres west of Halifax. Although popular, the beach is relatively small and lifeguards supervise a length of 500 metres. The water is relatively warm and has the potential for surf-like conditions.

  • Rissers Beach is located 24 kilometres west of Bridgewater in conjunction with a large provincial campground. It is also a popular spot because of the facilities available and lush environment. The service supervises a 250-metre zone of this 1,000-metre beach.

  • The beach at Aylesford Lake is unique in that it is man-made. The beach is owned and operated by the Kings County Park and Leisure Services. It is about three kilometres from Lake George. This beach also hosts a playground and picnic area.

  • Lake Ellenwood Provincial Park is located 19 kilometres northeast of Yarmouth. It is the lifeguard service's smallest facility and is used mostly by families camping in the park and day campers. The beach area is about 50 metres in length. Lake Ellenwood traditionally has a strong Junior Guard Program.

The Eastern Shore

Rainbow Haven is located just outside Cole Harbour. Up to 5,000 people a day use the beach, making it the service's most popular site.

  • Lawrencetown Beach is located 19 kilometres east of Dartmouth and is known for its heavy surf and commonly occurring rip current. The beach is several kilometres long but the guards supervise an 800-metre length. The beach is staffed by five guards daily and is the usual placement for the Australian exchange guard.

  • Clam Harbour will be guarded on weekends only. Clam Harbour Provincial Park is located 84 kilometres east of Dartmouth. During the Annual Sand Castle Day, past crowds have reached more than 10,000 people.

  • Dollar Lake is located inland on Route 212, about 20 kilometres west of the Halifax International Airport, next to a provincial campground.

The North Shore

  • Melmerby Beach is located 16 kilometres north of New Glasgow. There are usually three or more guards working the 800-metres of supervised beach.

  • Heather Beach is about 40 kilometres from Amherst along the Sunrise Trail. There are two guards at the beach daily guarding a 200-metre zone.

  • Pomquet Beach and Bayfield Beach are supervised by lifeguards hired by Antigonish County. Pomquet Beach will be supervised daily while Bayfield Beach will be guarded on weekends and holidays.

Cape Breton

  • Dominion Beach is the second busiest beach in the province. It has a three-kilometre sand bar and it is located about 20 kilometres from Sydney. Lifeguards supervise an 800-metre zone. There are at least four guards on duty daily.

  • Port Hood Beach is located near Port Hood. It is managed by the Municipality of Inverness County. The beach is about 1,500 metres long and two guards supervise a 300-metre area.

  • Inverness Beach has two guards on duty daily. The patrons are mainly locals and tourists visiting the island.

  • Mira Gut Beach is located 13 kilometres northwest of Main-a-dieu. The beach is 125-metres long but has high quality sand and very shallow, warm salt water. It is operated under a contract with Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

  • Indian Beach is located close to the Newfoundland ferry site in North Sydney. It is operated under a contract with Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

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