News release

Lifeguard Service begins 29th Season

Sport and Recreation Commission

With an enviable record of safety and service, the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service starts summer supervision on 17 Nova Scotia beaches on Saturday, June 30.

Since the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service began in 1973, no one has drowned on a supervised beach during the hours of supervision. An estimated 250,000 individuals visit the supervised beaches each year, with approximately 100 rescues taking place each season and countless more injuries being prevented by lifeguard intervention. Last year, lifeguards made more than 10,000 proactive and reactive public interventions.

Beaches are supervised from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Aug. 26. Clam Harbour Beach, Halifax Co., and Mavillette Beach, Digby Co., will be supervised during the same hours, but only on weekends.

Rodney MacDonald, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission, said he looks forward to another safe season.

"Knowing that highly trained, competent lifeguards are on duty at a number of our most popular beaches is reassuring for families and visitors enjoying the sea," he said.

More than 60 lifeguards, many of whom are university students, are employed by the lifeguard service each year. They all hold National Lifeguard, standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.

As in previous years, lifeguards will be provided with cellular telephones through the Connected For Safety partnership with MTT Mobility and Motorola. Cellular phones enhance lifeguards’ ability to respond quickly in beach emergencies.

Again this summer, the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service welcomes an exchange lifeguard from Australia. Adam Smith, a resident of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, will be patrolling Lawrencetown beach as part of the Nova Scotia-Australia exchange program.

Initiated in 1986, the exchange program is a reciprocal work exchange that provides Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service staff with the opportunity to lifeguard in Australia during the Australian summer holidays, from December to February. As part of the arrangement, an Australian lifeguard travels to Canada during July and August to work on Nova Scotia beaches.

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 TO EDITORS: Backgrounders on the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service and the beaches supervised:

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

Lifeguards participate in community projects throughout the season.

The lifeguard service will host the second annual Canadian Surf Lifesaving Championship at Rissers Beach, Lunenburg Co., on Aug. 27-28. The lifeguard service also hosted the event last year at Rissers Beach.

The Nova Scotia All-Women Lifeguard Competition will be held at Rissers Beach on Tuesday, July 17. The all-women competition is one of five sanctioned by the Nova Scotia Surf League, Canada ‘s first lifesaving competition series. The Nova Scotia Surf League is operated by the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service.

Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service: Supervised Beaches 2001

WESTERN NOVA SCOTIA

  • Queensland Beach is 43 kilometres west of Halifax. Although popular, the beach is relatively small and lifeguards supervise a length of 300 metres. The water is relatively warm and has the potential for surf-like conditions.

  • Rissers Beach is 24 kilometres west of Bridgewater, near a large provincial campground. It is 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 unique man-made beach at Aylesford Lake is owned and operated by the Kings County Park and Leisure Services. Located about three kilometres from Lake George, the beach also hosts a playground and picnic area.

  • Lake Ellenwood Provincial Park is 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 long. Lake Ellenwood traditionally has a strong Junior Lifeguard Program.

  • Lake Milo waterfront is located within the town of Yarmouth. It is on the Highway 1 as you leave Yarmouth towards Hebron. Lake Milo features a small waterfront with a dock system. It is part of the Milo Boat Club complex.

  • Mavillette Beach will be supervised on the weekends only. It is located in the community of Mavillette, off Highway 1. Mavillette is a provincial beach park. Its one-kilometre stretch of beach has a fairly developed sand dune system.

EASTERN SHORE

  • Rainbow Haven Beach is just outside Cole Harbour. On busy days, up to 5,000 people use the beach, making it one of the lifeguard service’s most popular sites.

  • Lawrencetown Beach, 19 kilometres east of Dartmouth, is known for its heavy surf and commonly occurring rip current. The beach is several kilometres long but the guards supervise a 300-metre zone. The beach is staffed by five guards daily and is the usual placement for the Australian exchange guard.

  • Clam Harbour Beach will be supervised on weekends only. Clam Harbour Provincial Park is 84 kilometres east of Dartmouth. The annual Sand Castle Day has attracted crowds of more than 10,000 people.

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

NORTH SHORE

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

  • Inverness Beach has two guards on duty daily. The beach is used by locals and tourists visiting the island.

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

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