As part of the City’s efforts to create a safe environment on beaches around the city, the public is requested to swim only in demarcated areas to prevent drowning.The City, in partnership with Western Province Lifesaving, has stationed lifeguards at the following beaches: Alpha, Big Bay, Bikini, Camps Bay, Clifton, Clovelly, Danger, False Bay, Fish Hoek, Glencairn, Gordon’s Bay, Hout Bay, Kogel Bay, Llandudno, Macassar, Maiden’s Cove, Milnerton, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Muizenberg, Silwerstroom, St James, Strand, and Strandfontein.
Bathing, surfing or engaging in any similar activity that is prohibited by a notice board is an offence (R500 fine) and Law Enforcement officers will be paying particular attention to this activity to ensure public safety and thereby also assist lifeguards to manage bathers.
Residents and visitors are requested to adhere to the following safety tips on beaches:
• Swim only where there are lifeguards and where signs indicate that it is safe to do so
• If you see someone else in trouble in the sea, alert the lifeguards or find help. Do not put your own life in danger as well
• Don’t drink alcohol before swimming or driving motor boats. The use of alcohol dulls the senses, slows the reactions and can lead to irresponsible behaviour
• Don’t dive from tidal pool walls – this can result in spinal injuries
• Do not take small or unstable boats out far from the shore in choppy water or bad weather
• If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and relax. Swim slowly and conservatively parallel to the shoreline or relax and let it carry you out past the breakers until it slacks
Emergency calls can be directed to the City’s 107 emergency number. Dial 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
‘With changing weather patterns, visitors to Cape Town’s beaches should also be on the lookout for rip currents. If you don’t know how to identify a rip current, please ask a lifeguard on duty whether it is safe to enter the water,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Special Projects, Alderman Belinda Walker.
For full report see Cape Town Green Map.
