LOGS AND LIFEGUARDS
A Summer of Discontent?

by Jacqui Birchall

THE BEACHES ARE NUDE! … There appears to be a nude beach problem around English Bay. Not nude sunbathers, but nude, log-less beaches.

Those of us used to lounging beach-side against a log or log sheltering from the wind may well be disappointed this summer. The Park Board removed the logs during COVID to prevent close contact on the beaches. Well, it seems the logs are not being replaced. English Bay, Second and Third beaches resemble a Brazilian wax. Nothing in sight!

The beaches used to be cleaned daily, garbage and needles removed, and the logs realigned if needed.

Third Beach is the frequent recipient of many storm-tossed logs. A front-end loader can be observed many mornings clearing and sorting the logs. Most of these are only suitable for mulching. The useful ones are being sold to mills. The beach is left bereft.

Logs are definitely a historical beach pleasure here in Vancouver dating back to Joe Fortes' time. The problem that some in the know tell me is that the Park Board manager of recreation services, Peter Fox, does not have a historical knowledge of Vancouver and seems to not appreciate the love we have of our beach logs.

Maybe if we contact him we can change his mind. peter.fox@vancouver.ca, or call 604-718-6511.

LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE … Mr. Fox is also in charge of the lifeguards here in Vancouver. There continues to be a lifeguard shortage on our beaches. A recent visit to English Bay showed only two lifeguards on duty. Four lifeguards are optimal, I was informed. There used to be several pages of lifeguards information available for our beaches and pools. This has diminished to one page.

The Globe and Mail recently reported that cities across Canada are struggling to find lifeguards. The City of Vancouver reported having only 60 percent of the usual number of summer lifeguards.

Barbara Byers, president of the Life Saving Society reports that the pandemic created a logjam in the training system. Byers further comments that lifeguards need 100 hours of expensive training, a deterrent to many young people, and she wishes the various cities would fund the training. The City of Vancouver states they are introducing a pilot project that would do that.

The older and very experienced lifeguards who were the backbone of our beaches have left. Apparently they felt unappreciated. Job satisfaction among the lifeguards seems to be low.

The very popular diving raft has not yet arrived at English Bay. Hopefully soon, but two lifeguards will need to be four to safely manage the beach once the raft arrives.

The police bike patrol used to monitor our English Bay beaches twice a day, asking the lifeguards if they needed help. Often they did, with smokers and drinkers. The police don’t come by any more and the lifeguards don’t have sufficient staff to monitor the smokers and drinkers. There are many no smoking signs but no chance of enforcement.

The buoys are also missing from English Bay. The buoys provide a barrier between the swimmers and the boaters.

Residents living beachside are already complaining about the beach party noise at night!

Water wheelchairs make the beaches and pools more accessible to seniors and the disabled.

WATER WHEELCHAIRS … On a brighter note, water wheel chairs are available at English Bay, Second Beach and Second Beach Pool. One chair at English Bay and one at Second Beach. They cannot be reserved. One needs one attendant for the pool, two attendants for the beach. The wheel chairs traverse the beach and work in the ocean and the swimming pool. See photo of information pamphlet.

REPORT GRAFFITI … Graffiti continues to plague the Park. Goodbye Graffiti is the amazing company the City pays to remove the graffiti. Report with photos to 311. Goodbye Graffiti asks that you include a photo taken some distance away so they can identify the spot.

CONCESSION STANDS ARE HIRING … If you or a student in your home is looking for a summer job, Second and Third Beach Concessions are hiring full and part time positions. Information at secondbeach@gmail.com

IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT … Regular early morning walkers have reported a couple of disquieting incidents on the trails lately.

They have gone unreported.

If you witness an assault or aberrant behaviour please report it. Remember there are more folks coming behind you.

Reporting such incidents protects other park users.