Latest news with #GrandBend
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Ride from Grand Bend to London raises crucial funds for MS research
A 2-day bike ride from Grand Bend to London and back was held this weekend to support those living with MS. With the details, here's Brent Lale.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
MS bike ride from Grand Bend to London
A 2-day bike ride from Grand Bend to London and back was held this weekend to support those living with MS. With the details, here's Brent Lale.
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Life jackets can save lives at the beach, and Grand Bend offers free rentals
Social Sharing Those swimming in Grand Bend can rent life-jackets while on the beach, officials with Lambton shores say — a reminder after several drownings in area waterways this summer. The life-jacket rental program at Grand Bend Beach has been in place for about a decade, said Ashley Farr, a director at the Municipality of Lambeth Shores. It was initially started to reinforce Grand Bend's status as a Blue Flag beach, a designation that requires high safety standards, as well as high environmental management and water quality. "The program has been fairly successful over the years," Farr said. "So we're just continuously trying to promote its availability and beach safety throughout Drowning Prevention Week." This year, the water safety-themed week comes amid a spate of recent drowning deaths in the London area, including the drowning of a 17-year-old in Chatham, an 18-year-old man in Ipperwash, and a 35-year-old man in Port Burwell. Risks apply to everyone, even strong swimmers. People who only go to the beach once or twice a year may not have their own life-jackets, said Stephanie Bakalar, a spokesperson for the Lifesaving Society. Lending programs becoming more common at Ontario's beaches, and even in some public libraries, where they're available for multi-day rentals, Bakalar said. Even though life-jackets are commonly used — and legally required — when boating or far out in deep water, any idea that swimming at the beach is not dangerous is a misconception, Bakalar said. It can be difficult to tell how deep water is and where a drop-off might be, as well as what hazards could be present, or how big the waves could become, she said. The dangers apply to anyone, regardless of swimming ability, she added. "If the waves knock you down and you can't regain your footing, you could drown." Some increasingly popular beach activities are risky to begin with, but especially without a life-jacket, Bakalar said. It's become more common for people to bring inflatables intended for pools — picture those glittery unicorn floaties — brought to the beach, Bakalar said. Because they float, they seem perfectly safe, even for non-swimmers, but they can easily deflate, and take a swimmer out much further than intended, she added. "You are brought out over your head so quickly and you're so far from shore and now you can't get back," she said. "Someone falls off, now they can't swim. It's an absolute recipe for disaster." A change in attitude surrounding life-jackets is needed, Bakalar said. There's a common perception that they are only for inexperienced swimmers or children, but the reality is that everyone should have one, Bakalar said, explaining that about 35 per cent of open-water drownings occur while people are swimming. To encourage safety at Grand Bend, the Lambeth Shores website gives more information not only about the life-jacket rentals, but also about structural currents and their flag system, which provides information about daily water conditions.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
‘What was the driver thinking?': OPP report crash on Highway 21
Highway 21 was closed for a head-on collision between Army Camp Road and Port Franks Road, south of Grand Bend, on July 10, 2025. A head-on crash in Lambton County has sent one person to hospital with serious life-threatening injuries. Around 6 a.m. on Thursday, police, fire and EMS responded to Highway 21 near Army Camp Road, about 20 km south of Grand Bend. According to OPP, a vehicle traveling on Highway 21 tried to pass a transport truck in the fog, colliding with an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle attempting to pass, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and the driver of the oncoming vehicle has serious life-threatening injuries. OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said, If you wake up and it's foggy outside, pack an ample supply of patience, you're eventually going to arrive at your destination. 'I understand people don't want to be late for work, your bosses will understand, especially due to the weather conditions. If you find yourself behind a transport truck in thick fog, the best place for you is behind that transport truck... This crash didn't need to happen.... this crash was preventable,' said Sanchuk. Highway 21 remains closed between Army Camp Road and Port Franks Road, and isn't expected to reopen for several hours.
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Fireworks celebrations in region begin Saturday
Four days of fireworks celebrations in the southwestern Ontario begin Saturday evening in St. Thomas. Dalewood Conservation Area will be hosting celebrations at dusk with a cost of $10 per vehicle admission fee. The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority says arrive early to secure a spot and permit as the gatehouse closes at 9 p.m. and no entry will be permitted after that time. Festivities in the region continue Sunday with fireworks displays in London in Summerside and in Strathroy at the Gemini Sportsplex. For those looking to watch a display on Monday, they can head to Port Stanley or Fingal in Elgin County. On Canada Day, many areas in the region will be hosting fireworks displays, including Harris Park, White Oaks Park, and East Lions Community Centre in London. Elgin, Dutton, Aylmer, St. Thomas, West Lorne, and Belmont will all have displays, and there is also a concert and fireworks in Grand Bend at the main beach.
