Locals try to beat the heat - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

La Crosse, WI (WXOW)-- This heat can be tough on lifeguards, like those at Pettibone Beach. They work from 10 AM until 6  in the evening , and they're outside the entire time.

Lifeguards at Pettibone say there are three of them on duty at all times.  To stay cool they say they drink lots of water and take turns jumping into the river. Although one of them says the beach-goers don't seem to be coping with the heat so well.

"It hasn't been as busy because of the heat, basically the heat and humidity," said Paula Dregne. "We stay in the shade, put up our umbrellas, and we basically just jump in the water when we need and what not."

But while the temperatures are keeping some of us away from the beach, they're not impacting business at Pettibone Campground.    

"We've got a lot of shade trees and there's a nice breeze coming off the river, not all the time but most of the time. I was actually surprised how busy Pettibone was this weekend, it was pretty full," said Zeke Bideaux, a seasonal camper.

Bideaux camps at Pettibone all summer. He says he hasn't noticed any change in the number either weekend or seasonal campers.