Sandcastle builders, swimmers and sunbathers turned up at South Shore beaches despite warnings of dangerous surf and hazardous rip tides caused by Tropical Storm Kyle on Sunday.

On Saturday organisers called off the seventh Annual Sandcastle Competition at Horseshoe Bay because of the rip tides that were so dangerous to both the public and lifeguards that the Parks Department pulled its lifeguards off the beach. Lifeguards were to decide today whether they would resume duties at Horseshoe Bay as warning signs remained up along the South Shore last night. Tropical Storm Kyle remained close to the Island's south and was forecast to be within 170 nautical miles by tomorrow.

Between Thursday and Friday lifeguards on Horseshoe Bay rescued ten people because of the rip tides.

One lifeguard had to rescue a colleague and the person he was trying to save on Friday at Horseshoe because of the dangerous conditions. Lifeguard superintendent Jamie Pedro, said: "The lifeguards are still off the beach, but we will decide in the morning (today) as to whether they will go back on or not. The warning signs are still up on all South Shore beaches."

He added: "Fortunately there is a cold front coming off the eastern seaboard which should bring some rain, that will hopefully keep people out of the water." Kyle has been downgraded to a tropical storm but is still a potential threat to the Island. At press time the Bermuda Weather Service said: "The current position was approximately 230 miles south of Bermuda. Kyle is moving at two knots. The maximum sustained winds are 40 knots with gusts up to 50 knots.

"The closest point of approach is tomorrow at 3 p.m., when it is expected to be 170 miles to the south."

The sandcastle competition will be rescheduled for a later date.