As temperatures rise, more people are heading to beaches, rivers and dams to cool off. However, Lifesaving South Africa has urged bathers to exercise caution after recording nine drowning incidents across the country in the past two weeks. 

In Wilderness, just outside George, a man drowned at Leentjiesklip Beach on Saturday (October 24) while rescuing his teenage son. 

The George Herald reported that in the same incident, another man from Germany also went into the water and rescued his son. 

Rip currents 

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the teenagers were caught in rip currents. 

On the same day in KZN, The North Coast Courier reported that a search was conducted for a 36-year-old Mpumalanga man who is feared drowned after getting into difficulty while swimming at Salmon Bay, Ballito. 

Salmon Bay is not a designated swimming beach and has no lifeguards stationed there. 

According to paramedics, the man was swimming at about 07:30 when he got into difficulty. 

“We urge the public to avoid swimming at Salmon Bay,” said IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick. 

“Numerous swimmers have lost their lives there, many of who were unaware of the dangers posed by these waters,” she added.  

The incident is the second suspected drowning off North Coast beaches in a week. 

A week ago, an 18-year-old swimmer disappeared at Black Rocks, Zinkwazi. 

Search-and-rescue teams have spent much of the week searching the coastline between Blythedale and Tugela, but the teenager remains missing. 

River drowning 

In Gauteng, two men drowned in a river in Kidson Weir, at Henley-on-Klip, on Thursday (October 22), reported the Sedibeng Ster. 

Police noted that a strong water current swept the two men away. 

Divers from the Sedibeng Water Policing and Diving Services found the first body trapped between rocks in the river on Thursday and are searching for the second person. 

Lifeguards assess shifting tides and winds daily 

Lifesaving South Africa management board member Dhaya Sewduth said the national figures are alarming. 

He explained that some bathers are not swimming in designated areas and when lifeguards are on duty. 

“The ocean is unpredictable, especially with tidal and wind conditions,” warned Sewduth. 

He added that lifeguards look at the conditions and assess the risks every morning. “They then find the safest swimming area for bathers and they are marked with beacons and flags. They continue to monitor the conditions and move the beacons around to ensure safety.” 

Sewduth added that bathers need to stay in designated swimming areas so lifeguards can reach anyone who gets into difficulty. 

“This goes to all swimmers. It does not matter how good of a swimmer you are. Even at the Olympic Games there are lifeguards because anything can happen at any time. The message is simple: Stay in the designated swimming areas.” 

Sewduth urged bathers to follow the rules as the weather warms up.  

Weather warnings 

According to the South African Weather Service, very hot to extremely hot conditions are expected in parts of the country.  
 
The organisation urged people to stay hydrated, seek shade and limit exposure to direct sunlight.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.