BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The weather is beautiful right now but there is a perfect storm brewing in Bellingham, bringing additional dangers to a popular beach.
You won't find a lifeguard for all the people packing Bloedel Donovan Park along Lake Whatcom this summer.
Bertha Costemalle is not worried about sunburn as much as she is about a sore neck. She keeps craning it to keep her son and three nephews within eyesight as they swim in the lake.
"I am constantly counting them, like 1,2,3,4," Costemalle said. "Okay, there are my four boys."
For the first time since the city opened a new swim dock at the park in 2021, Bellingham has been unable to hire enough lifeguards to patrol the beach.
The parks department said they just have not had enough qualified applicants.
That can make a day at the beach feel like anything but a picnic.
"Well, I feel like I need to keep an eye on my kids," Costemalle said. "I brought my book but I'm not reading so I can keep an eye on my kids."
Bloedel Donovan is expected to be extra busy this summer because another Bellingham beach, Lake Samish, is closed until August 2025.
Bellingham Parks Director Nicole Oliver said the city chose to keep the beach open hoping everyone will act responsibly.
"Closing the whole park would be inequitable for the residents," Oliver said. "It's one of our most popular summertime things to do. We just want to make sure people keep a close eye on their kids."
The city had 53 lifeguard applicants but only six passed the requirements.
That's less than half the 15 needed to staff the beach.
Oliver said part of the reason they can't find enough lifeguards is young people can make more money working at McDonald's than protecting lives.
In lieu of lifeguards, "ambassadors" who are trained in first aid and CPR will be making stops at the beach.
Bellingham's public pool is open and fully staffed, and splash pad hours are being extended.
No lifeguards, though, means a summer of sore necks on Lake Whatcom - hoping kids don't get in over their heads.
"Teenagers like to push the limits so you need to be paying attention," Costemalle said.
City officials said they hope to have an adequate contingent of lifeguards trained and ready by this time next summer.