Tel Aviv: Heat wave on, lifeguards gone
Lifeguards to attend annual one-week training program in Eilat as masses expected to hit Tel Aviv beaches
Planning on fighting the upcoming heat wave with a dip in the Mediterranean? Inspectors in Tel Aviv won't let you.
Despite the hotter than usual weather expected in the coming days, there will be no lifeguards on duty at Tel Aviv's beaches this week - all of them will be attending a one-week training program in Eilat, as they do every year ahead of Passover.
Thirty nine lifeguards from Tel Aviv will take part in the program, which includes diving and first aid courses, and is meant to prepare them to the upcoming swimming season.
Beachgoers enjoy hot weather in Tel Aviv (Photo: Dalit Shaham)
In their place, beginning Sunday, inspectors will patrol the beaches and aim to prevent beachgoers from entering the water. The signage along the coastline has been temporarily changed and now warns that swimming is not permitted.
Tel Aviv city hall official Avi Licht said: "If we were closed the entire winter, no one would have noticed that the lifeguards were away; however, the fact that Tel Aviv beaches are open during winter means that people are suddenly noticing the difference."
"People need to remember that they are away for a training program that it is part of their contract as lifeguards. The program is held annually in order to train them ahead of swimming season. We hope people show consideration by following the signage and adhering to the inspectors' words," he said.
