Lifeguard Shortage Leaves Jones Beach Pool Visitors High And Dry

WANTAGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Lots of unhappy people were turned away from one of Jones Beach's most popular summer attractions.

The giant public pool is off-limits this week because of a lifeguard shortage.

As CBS2's Jessica Schneider reported, the shortage has been created by the early arrival of school season.

All day long, families planning a day in the cool waters of the public pool at Jones Beach were left stunned and disappointed.

"It's a waste of time coming here. We could have gone elsewhere," John Schmidt said.

John and Kathy Schmidt said they didn't find out the pool was closed until after they had schlepped in with others from a distant lot where they paid a $10 parking fee.

"We weren't informed about when we paid to get in here," Schmidt said.

Parks managers said the lifeguard shortage was caused by a large number of school districts deciding to start their school year early ahead of the late Labor Day holiday.

"With the schools starting earlier a number of our lifeguard staff were called back to school, both as students and teachers. We had to react to that," George Gorman of New York State Parks and Recreation said.

Park managers urged visitors to go to the beach where the remaining lifeguards staff was posted.

Many came unprepared for the beach. One former Long Islander shelled out $20 for an umbrella.

"I need my Jones Beach fix. Even though I live in Connecticut, this place is in my blood," Glen Canter said.

"I'm a lifeguard myself. They could have got enough lifeguards, that should not be a problem," Saul Vargas said.

Vargas, a lifeguard from Queens didn't believe that there's a shortage, and that the state could have reached out to the lifeguard unions to get more help.

Park managers said it's a temporary problem, and added that the pool will re-open on Saturday, fully staffed with lifeguards for the Labor Day crowd.

Those who turn right around can get a refund on parking, meanwhile the town of Babylon was experiencing the same problems. They will not have lifeguards posted until Saturday at town pools and beaches.