Good planning and Mother Nature combined to ensure that Bluewater Bay beachgoers and lifeguards had a trouble-free Boxing Day.
A cool day and chilly breeze resulted in numbers going down to the beach being substantially lower than anticipated. Following the chaos experienced only one week earlier, lifeguards and IPatrol expected large numbers to descend on the beach yesterday. The closure of neighbouring New Brighten Beach. due to poor water quality, was expected to add to the pressure.
Bluewater Bay Surf Lifesaving Club Vice Chairman, Dirk Burger, said the Club had erected new signage to warn bathers against alcohol consumption on the beach. iPatrol was on duty to monitor the parking lot for unruly behaviour. SAPS and Metro Police undertook regular patrols.
Burger said feedback from municipal and voluntary lifeguards was that people were well behaved. Drinking was almost non-existent. Only two beachgoers had to be reminded of the law. In both cases, they immediately complied and enjoyed their time on the beach until they departed.
Only about 100 beachgoers spent the day on the beach. Of these, only 30 were in the water at any one time, making it easier for the 11 lifeguards to keep watch over them.
Traditionally, 1 January is an exceptionally busy day for the lifeguards. Burger says the long-range weather forecast is for a rainy start to 2024. However, the lifeguards and iPatrol will not bank on people not coming down to the beach and will be at full strength.
Burger called on beachgoers to continue to respect the law regarding alcohol consumption on the beach and parking area throughout the festive season. Bathers should only swim where and when lifeguards are on duty. They should obey the lifeguards who know where the rip-currents are and only swim between the flags.
