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Free life-jackets to be provided at Crescent Beach

Adults and children will be allowed to borrow life jackets from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Crescent Beach resident and City of Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum spoke about water safety at the launch of the city’s new water safety initiative Sunday afternoon. As part of the program, life-jackets will be available, at no cost, at Crescent Beach from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Aaron Hinks photos)

The City of Surrey is now allowing residents to borrow life-jackets at Crescent Beach and is also providing free life-jacket fitting assessments at all city pools.

The city announced the new water safety initiative, with support of the Surrey Fire Fighters Association and water safety mascot Buckles, at a media event in Crescent Beach Tuesday afternoon.

Crescent Beach resident and Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum told media he has been walking the beach for more than 50 years, adding “I was out here this morning at 5:30 walking this beach.”

He said over the years, he has noticed an increased number of people using the beach.

“Every summer, thousands flock to the beach or the pool to beat the heat and, unfortunately, we see a significant increase in drowning from May to September throughout the province, especially, and it’s sad, this coming weekend,” McCallum said.

RELATED: 5 things to remember if hitting the water this long weekend

The mayor said he has a personal connection to the cause, adding that he used to be a lifeguard at Surrey pools and a former competitive swimmer.

“My stroke was breast stroke, one of the hardest strokes,” he said after the formal presentation, adding that he likes to kayak Crescent Beach, and “I always wear a life-jacket.”

The city has six indoor pools and eight outdoor pools.

Life-jackets, for both adults and children, will be available at the Crescent Beach lifeguard station (12111 Sullivan St.) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. when staffed by a lifeguard.

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The City of Surrey hosted a media event Tuesday with water safety mascot Buckles. The city is to provide life-jackets, at no cost, at Crescent Beach from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Aaron Hinks photos)
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The City of Surrey hosted a media event Tuesday with water safety mascot Buckles. The city is to provide life-jackets, at no cost, at Crescent Beach from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Aaron Hinks photos)
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The City of Surrey hosted a media event Tuesday with water safety mascot Buckles. The city is to provide life-jackets, at no cost, at Crescent Beach from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Aaron Hinks photos)
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Crescent Beach resident and City of Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum spoke about water safety at the launch of the city’s new water safety initiative Sunday afternoon. As part of the program, life-jackets will be available, at no cost, at Crescent Beach from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Aaron Hinks photos)


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