Photos: Beating the heat at the beach

Nayari Guthrie, 2, jumps into her mother’s arms in the shallowest waters of The Beach at Pinehurst Monday, the hottest day of the year so far in the Northland. Nayari’s mom, Najae Swanigan of Duluth, said they decided to head to the swimming pond in Cloquet because it was “a nice hot day.”

Also adventuring Monday was 21-month-old Lennox Bauer, who happily went down the canoe slide into the waiting arms of his dad, Beau Bauer of Cloquet.

Aquatics coordinator Kimberly Miens said it feels like summer at The Beach now, estimating they had close to 400 people come through Monday, and busy days Friday and Saturday too. “The rest of the week looks like it will be hopping too,” she said. Miens said they have plenty of lifeguards this summer, noting that having in-house lifeguard trainer Edward Schulstrom has made a big difference.

The Beach is open 12-6 p.m. Kids ages 11 and younger must wear swim vests.