‘We already know we have the numbers’: call for lake lifeguards

Lifeguards could be introduced at designated bathing areas in Westmeath next summer following a call for the council to review its policy, amid claims that some lakes are now attracting more than 25 swimmers an hour.

Cllr Aoife Davitt raised the issue at the September meeting of the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District, where councillors were told that a survey of bathing areas will be carried out during the peak season.

Under the Bathing Water Directive, the provision of a lifeguard service is considered where an average of 25 bathers per day is recorded during the bathing season.

The District Office said it would conduct a survey and consider the provision of seasonal lifeguards based on the findings and the available budget.

However, Cllr Davitt said she was concerned that waiting until next summer to begin collecting figures could delay the introduction of lifeguards.

“Even as we look out the window and it is currently raining, I could bet my bottom dollar that if we went out to the diving boards now, we would see more than an average of 25 bathers – per hour, not per day,” she said.

She said the number of people using designated bathing spots had increased significantly, with changing habits and the popularity of lake dipping and wild swimming contributing to greater usage.

Cllr Davitt said the council should begin planning and budgeting now if lifeguards were to be introduced for next summer.

“I do think that it would be important that we don't wait until the first of June to start and then decide to collect our data and then turn around and say, oh yeah, well, we have the numbers,” she said.

Cllr Ken Glynn supported the motion and said he had raised a similar query earlier in the summer.

Councial official Mary Goldsberry confirmed that the council would proceed with the survey.

Supported by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme (LDRS).