Yellowknife (June 27/03) - If you went to Long Lake Beach this past weekend, you may have seen a sign that says you swim at your own risk.

That's because this summer the City of Yellowknife was "not able to recruit any lifeguards," said Grant White, director of community services.

The beach will remain without lifeguard service unless the city can find some qualified people to watch the beach.

"We're always looking," said White. "We'll continue to look."

Usually there are three full-time lifeguards and up to six part-timers. They tend to make $14 per hour.

This year, "none applied."

According to Phil Lee, a regional superintendent at RWED, this could be dangerous if swimmers aren't especially careful.

"People have come to expect lifeguards," he said. "They may not be as vigilant as they would be elsewhere."

The danger could come from people swimming out over their heads or just kids roughhousing and one getting pushed under.

"It's seen as a public beach, not just a lake shore," Lee said. "It's far more heavily used than any other beach."

Since it gets so busy, RWED and the City of Yellowknife have had a contract agreement for the past 12 years in which the city provides the lifeguards.

Lee said that RWED would like to continue to partner with the city even if no guards are found for this summer.

Next year, Lee hopes that they'll be able to get on it earlier in the season and get some people trained.