City says swimmers are in safe hands

More than 600 swimming pool and beach lifeguards have been deployed by the City of Cape Town’s recreation and parks department.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and mayco member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross joined the lifeguards at Big Bay lifesaving club in Blouberg on Thursday, October 20.

According to the City’s drowning prevention plan, lifeguards will be on duty at 32 swimming pools and 29 beaches, tidal pools and stretches of coast this season.

“Preventing drownings is not just the job of lifeguards, but visitors to pools and beaches also have a responsibility. Follow the rules to ensure your own safety when in and around water,” said Ms Van der Ross.

Beachgoers are reminded to only swim where there are lifeguards on duty and where signs indicate it is safe to do so, she added.

“Always supervise children near water, dressing them in bright colours to make sure that lifeguards can see them in the water. Remember that the best form of supervision is to be engaged with young children in the water when at play, rather than watching from a distance, which leaves them at risk,” she said.

Mr Hill-Lewis called on the public to “do their part,” when visiting beaches and pools across the city.

He said beachgoers are reminded to only swim where there are lifeguards on duty and where signs indicate it is safe to do so.

“Always supervise children near water, dressing them in bright colours to make sure that lifeguards can see them in the water. Remember that the best form of supervision is to be engaged with young children in the water when at play, rather than watching from a distance, which leaves them at risk,” he said.

He encouraged people to swim between the red and yellow flags set up by lifeguards at the beach.

“These indicate safer, supervised swimming areas. Areas outside these flags might conceal dangerous currents and tides,” he added.