News release

Lifeguards Aim to Maintain Record

Health Promotion and Protection (March 2006 - Jan. 2011)

NOTE: A list of supervised beaches in Nova Scotia follows this release.

Nova Scotia lifeguards are hitting the beach in hopes of another safe and successful summer.

With 21 of the province's most popular beaches reopening on Saturday, June 30, for the supervised season, Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service lifeguards are aiming to uphold a 34-year no-drowning record.

"Nova Scotians can enjoy our many beautiful supervised beaches knowing that there are highly trained lifeguards on site," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. "It is the excellent training and commitment of our lifeguards which helps to prevent countless injuries and tragedies every summer."

"Having another safe season is our primary goal. I am confident the team of guards we have this year will be able to complete the task," said Paul D'Eon, director, Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service. "Hopefully we can also have a bit of fun."

It is estimated that 500,000 people visit supervised beaches each year. Beach visitors are once again reminded to follow some simple guidelines:

  • Swim between the red and yellow flags. These flags mark off the supervised portion of the beach.
  • While on the beach, all parents are reminded to keep their children within arm's reach.
  • It is illegal to consume alcohol on beaches. An overwhelming number of drowning and water-related incidents are tied to alcohol consumption.

More than 60 lifeguards, many of whom are university students from across Nova Scotia, attended an intensive four-day training camp from June 23 to June 27 before the start of the season. All are certified in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), standard first aid and hold a National Lifeguard Service award.

The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service is a joint project of the Lifesaving Society and the Department of Health Promotion and Protection. For more information about the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, see the website at www.nsls.ns.ca .

Note: The following beaches will be supervised from Saturday, June 30, to Sunday, Aug. 26, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily:

Cape Breton County

  • Mira Gut Beach
  • Indian Beach

Cumberland County

  • Heather Beach

Digby County

  • Mavillette Beach (weekends only)

Halifax County

  • Clam Harbour Beach (weekends only)
  • Dollar Lake Beach
  • Lawrencetown Beach
  • Queensland Beach
  • Rainbow Haven Beach
  • Bayswater Beach
  • Martinique Beach

Inverness County

  • Inverness Beach
  • Port Hood Beach

Kings County

  • Aylesford Lake Beach

Lunenburg County

  • Rissers Beach

Pictou County

  • Melmerby Beach

Yarmouth County

  • Lake Ellenwood Beach
  • Port Maitland Beach
  • Lake Milo Boat Club

Antigonish County

  • Bayfield Beach
  • Pomquet Beach

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