Local beaches, pools experiencing lifeguard shortage at end of season

GREENWICH (WABC) -- Are you trying to enjoy the final days of summer as kids get ready to head back to school? A lifeguard shortage means that some local pools will be closing early. In addition, some beaches will have no lifeguards.

Greenwich Parks and Recreation says that about two thirds of the lifeguard staff is made up of college students, and now those students are heading back to school. Officials in Greenwich have announced there will be no more lifeguards at 4 town beaches for the rest of the season, which includes the long holiday weekend coming up. They will have some working patrols, and some first aide stations will be staffed.

At Jones Beach, Eyewitness News is told that the pool at West Bathhouse will have no lifeguards from Monday to Friday of this week, but they are looking to bring in some extra lifeguards.

Other lifeguards are school teachers who work at various pools and beaches during the summers. Some of the teachers will come back during the long weekend to help staff for Labor Day Weekend.