Beach set to open June 16 under lifeguards’ watch

By Kate Westby | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, June 7, 2008

Despite initial hesitation due to financial questions from community members, Cindy Johnson said she has received overwhelming support from parents and kids alike, enthusiastic about restoring Pebble Beach to the asset it once was in the Fergus Falls community.

Beginning June 16, lifeguards will be stationed at the Pebble Lake swimming beach from 1 to 5 p.m. seven days a week until Aug. 16, reports Johnson, aquatics director at the YMCA.

Historically, the beach maintained a staff of lifeguards, but when Local Government Aid was cut in 2004, staffing lifeguards at the beach went on the chopping block. The beach has been a “swim-at-your-own-risk” venture ever since, with no bathroom facilities available.

Johnson, a certified waterfront director for 35 years, was surprised when she first moved to Fergus Falls and found the beach not being used in a traditional sense with lifeguards. Public sentiment introduced the need for the lifeguards’ return at Pebble Beach, located on the south end of Pebble Lake, and a partnership between the city and the YMCA to provide lifeguards was approved at a May 5 city council meeting.

The agreement entails a $20,500 allowance from the Parks and Recreation Department to fund five lifeguards, though Johnson said more guards will be available to work during peak recreation days.

“Outdoor recreation situations require you to be flexible because providing a safe environment given the circumstances of the day is a priority,” said Johnson, noting hot weekends and holidays as possibly calling for more guards on the beach.

Although the lifeguards will work to ensure the safety of beach patrons in the water, parents and guardians are reminded to supervise children while at the public beach given the park’s large size.

“The guards are there to watch the water and are able to provide first aid, but they cannot monitor playground equipment and other areas behind them at the beach,” said Johnson.

Additionally, if children 13 years of age or younger are still at the beach when lifeguards leave at 5 p.m., staff members are responsible for calling authorities to pick up the children in order to avoid liability and exposure issues.

With Kelly Kitzman, a recent Fergus Falls graduate, as the beach’s head guard, Johnson is confident in the staff’s ability to provide responsible leadership and safety.

“The lakes area in Otter Tail County has a lot of recreational opportunities, and places like Pebble Beach now creates a better opportunity to train our staff for leadership that is more appropriate to lake living,” said Johnson. “You just don’t forget the lake experience, and helping kids become more aware of safety around these bodies of water instills in them the skills it takes to be mindful junior lifeguards and advocates for safety.”

Johnson suspects the decision to have lifeguards at the beach will be made on a yearly basis, but given plans for the expansion of waterfront programs including a recently approved quarter-mile training site for triathlete swimmers, she is hopeful this summer sets an example for years to come.

“If we can all help by keeping the beach clean and safe, the beach will be here for a long time for the benefit of many.”

Questions regarding the summer staff of Pebble Beach can be directed to Cindy Johnson at (218) 739-4489, Ext. 16.