(AGENPARL) – Sat 31 May 2025 City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release
May 31, 2025
City of Toronto lifeguards return to Toronto beaches this weekend
Starting today, City of Toronto lifeguards are returning to supervised swimming beaches across the city. Lifeguards will be on-site daily at ten Toronto beaches until Monday, September 1.
City lifeguards are identifiable by their red and yellow uniforms and are stationed either in white rowboats in the water, along the shore or at a lifeguard stand. Designated swim areas are marked between two red-over-yellow flags with a lifeguard stand marked “Lifeguard on Duty” nearby.
Supervised swimming beaches include:
• Bluffer’s Beach
• Centre Island Beach
• Cherry/Clarke Beach
• Gibraltar Point Beach
• Hanlan’s Point Beach
• Kew-Balmy Beach
• Marie Curtis Park East Beach
• Sunnyside Beach
• Ward’s Island Beach
• Woodbine Beach
More information about dates, times and locations for lifeguards on duty can be found on the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/beaches/.
Beach and water safety
The City encourages everyone to have fun and be safe this summer by:
• Swimming only when lifeguards are on duty and within the supervised swimming area.
• Always staying within arm’s reach of children who are in or near the water.
• Never swimming alone or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and limiting exposure to heat and sun.
• Calling 911 right away in the case of an emergency.
Each supervised beach has dedicated lifesaving stations equipped with ring buoys and reaching poles. Lifesaving stations are marked with a Parks Locate Point (an identification point that can be used when contacting emergency services so the emergency vehicle knows where on the beach to respond).
If lifesaving equipment is missing or damaged, please call 311 immediately.
Know the flags
Lifeguards use a flag system adopted by the International Lifesaving Federation to identify swimming conditions and designated swimming areas. Look out for the following:
• When a green flag is flying, swimming conditions are good and there is minimal risk to beachgoers.
• When a yellow flag is flying, swimmers should exercise caution as waves, currents or other elements may be present.
• When a red flag is flying, there are high hazard conditions and beachgoers should not swim in the water.
• If no flags are flying at a Toronto beach, lifeguards are not on duty and swimming is not recommended.
Residents should stay within the clearly marked swim zones to avoid the dangers of being struck by vessels.
Sun safety
The City is once again partnering with the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund and the Douglas Wright Foundation to offer residents and visitors with opportunities to #BeSunSafe this summer. The program offers free sunscreen through dispensers at select parks and beaches. And new this year, the program is expanding to all City golf courses, so that golfers can be protected while out on the greens.
Protecting skin from the sun is the best way to prevent skin cancer. #BeSunSafe aims to prevent skin cancer by providing sunscreen and raising awareness of the importance of sun protection. Sunscreen provided in the #BeSunSafe dispensers is SPF 30, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB), PABA-free, paraben-free, scent-free and mineral-based.
Torontonians are encouraged to take the following sun safety precautions:
• Apply sunscreen every two hours as sunscreen application is beneficial for all skin tones
• Reapply after swimming or sweating
• Use sunscreen with other sun protection measures such as limiting time in the sun, seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses
• Apply sunscreen on babies older than six months
A map with the locations of the dispensers and information about skin cancer and sun safety tips is available on the #BeSunSafe website: https://besunsafe.ca/.
Operating watercraft
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) Marine Unit reminds residents that all watercrafts are restricted from designated swim areas along Toronto beaches. Signs are also posted in the areas for designated craft launch areas.
When spending time on the lake and/or beaches, residents should be aware of potential dangers and learn how to be safe in cold water. In case of an accident, cold water can severely impact a person’s ability to swim or stay afloat. No matter a person’s swimming ability, all swimmers should wear a lifejacket.
TPS Marine Unit reminds people to stay sober when boating or participating in water related activities on the lake. The use of alcohol or drugs can severely impact a person’s ability to swim and stay afloat. Using drugs and alcohol while operating a vessel is illegal. In Ontario, being convicted of impaired boat operation will also affect a person’s driver’s licence.
Water quality
The City monitors beach water quality daily (weather permitting) between June and September. This includes daily water sample analysis by Toronto Public Health and City lifeguards which helps ensure people can swim safely at Toronto beaches. More information about beach water quality testing is available on the City’s Beach Water Quality website: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-inspections-monitoring/swimsafe/beach-water-quality/.
More information on beaches can be found on the City’s website: http://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/beaches.
Quote:
“With summer only a few weeks away, we are excited to share that starting this weekend lifeguards are returning to ten beaches. Lifeguards create safer beaches, allowing for all Torontonians to relax and enjoy the refreshing waters of Lake Ontario.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow