Cape Town’s festive season has seen a spike in beach incidents, with many fatalities occurring at unguarded beaches, reports the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon noted a worrying trend of drownings, mainly due to rip currents and inebriated swimmers.
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Rip currents are strong water channels flowing seaward from the shore. They are not always visible but are more likely with larger waves and can be identified by looking for differences in water colour, changes in wave patterns, debris movement and choppy water channels.
On New Year’s Day, two drowning incidents, one fatal, were reported along the False Bay coastline near Sonwabe Beach. In a separate incident, bystanders pulled a 24-year-old Manenberg man from the water, but he was discovered lifeless.
Irafaan Abrahams, a local educator known for participating in marathons to fund children’s school shoes, was rescued by surfer Stephen ‘Dassie’ Guess after getting caught in a riptide off Scarborough’s coast.
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As per the Weekend Argus, Lambinon said that incidents at lifeguard-protected beaches usually see quicker rescues and urged beachgoers to swim only in designated areas.
The NSRI advises calmness if caught in a rip current. Swimming parallel to the shore and then using waves to return is key. Rip currents don’t pull swimmers underwater, but floating and staying calm are vital.
‘We know drowning means being silent, so we urge parents to always keep an eye on their kids and to swim where there are lifeguards and also between lifeguard flags. Lifeguards will also keep an eye out for rip currents and move their flags accordingly,’ Lambinon concluded.
Stay safe:
Also read:
Surfer saves local teacher and sports personality from Scarborough riptide
Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook