Carlsbad beachgoers may notice some extra lifeguards patrolling the beaches this summer as part of a new pilot program to put more lifeguards on the beach.
Right now, one mile of beach from Oak Street to the northern City limit of Carlsbad, is not patrolled by any lifeguards, because the area falls outside the state-patrolled line.
State lifeguards do help with rescues in the area, but there are no lifeguards permanently stationed in the increasingly popular area.
Last summer, there were 300 rescues by State lifeguards up and down the Carlsbad coast.
But even with more lifeguards in this area, Carlsbad Fire Chief Mike Davis said, it is still each beachgoer's responsibility to know their surroundings.
"It truly is our own individual responsibility to know and understand our swimming ability, to take a look at the ocean before we jump in, and know that swimming in the ocean is an inherently dangerous activity," Davis said.
The program, organized by the Carlsbad Fire Department, will run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
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Once the program ends, the Carlsbad Fire Department will report back to the City Council with their recommendations from the program moving forward.
