Lifeguards needed at Wasaga

Police identify Ontario men who drowned near Wasaga Beach, July 9

This is getting beyond belief. After numerous drownings there are still no lifeguards at Wasaga Beach. Even after decades of public and editorial support, and multiple preventable drownings. Enough is enough.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry should be ashamed of itself, and so should the town of Wasaga Beach.

I’ve always said the point where the river meets the bay is the most dangerous area. While the entire 14-kilometre stretch of beach is dangerous, the main beach is especially so. An offshore breeze and strong winds can blow people on rafts far out into the water. We used to have a preventative lifeguard system. Highly trained guards who used binoculars and stood on high towers could warn people of danger. We used two-way radios and had two boats, rover guards and spotters. Even in the worst-case scenario, we were able to use this system to rescue victims. We trained daily to prepare for events like these, with numerous mock rescues in rough water conditions.

Two summers ago, another woman drowned close by. Her death caused public and political outcry. After 20 years of advocacy, I was very optimistic that lifeguards would be back for the summer of 2016.

Now, the ministry and the town, which boasts the largest freshwater beach, have lost all credibility on beach safety. The lifeguard program requires a very small budget, that could be supported commercially or through sponsored funds. A preventative lifeguard system should be implemented by the 2018 season.

If not, the mayor should resign, along with the person at Queen’s Park responsible for public beach safety.

John Watt, water-safety advocate and ex-Wasaga Beach lifeguard, and Elaine Tanner, OC, triple Olympic medallist swimmer and water-safety advocate.