Basin Head lifeguards kept on their toes as wind and moon forge strong currents

Safety officials on P.E.I. are reminding beachgoers to be careful in the water after a busy weekend for lifeguards.

A combination of wind and tide are making for a strong current around some parts of the Island.

At Basin Head near the province's northeastern tip, there were 12 rescues on Monday alone, according to provincial lifeguard co-ordinator Matt Smith.

"It definitely is a busier than normal day for Basin Head, but it's not unprecedented," Smith said. "And it's something that, I have to say, our lifeguards handled with amazing professionalism."

Smith said more people are going to beaches across the province this year — and more people showing up often means more have to rescued.

Beachgoers often jump off the bridge at Basin Head, where the current can carry them out to sea. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC)

The Basin Head rescues were described as "minor" — nobody was seriously hurt — but Smith said swimmers still need to be mindful, especially those who like to jump off the bridge connecting the wharves at the picturesque location.

He said the effect of a changing tide between the wharves creates a powerful current at times, especially when there's a full moon as there was early this week. "The tidal change was much bigger than usual and as a result that means a current is stronger than it normally is."

Marianne Regis says she and her family stayed close the lifeguards on Tuesday. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC)

Tuesday was another busy day at Basin Head. Marianne Regis and her family were visiting from Milton, Ont., and she said it was reassuring to see a handful of lifeguards nearby.

"We've intentionally stayed kind of close to the guard because we are new here… It's really good just to know that they are there and just to ask questions, saying, 'How far out should my kid swim?' or anything like that."