The sun has set on a mammoth bathing season. The City’s Recreation and Parks Department is reflecting on the highs and lows of an incredibly busy season for beaches and swimming pools, and the hundreds of lifeguards and support staff tasked with keeping visitors safe.

The sun sets on mammoth bathing season

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross says the past summer season was a busy one, with pools and beaches recording high numbers of visitors. She says the preparation for the new season starts at the end of the previous one.

“She added, “We are already looking ahead to the next season and how we can build on our systems.”

Van der Ross says the priority remains the safety of everyone who visits our pools and beaches, and ensuring that our facilities are in peak condition,.

In addition to the thousands of visitors to City beaches, gate counts at some of the public swimming pools too were impressive, including:

Sea Point – 102 463

Retreat – 47 454

Newlands – 47 143

Long Street – 43 451

The Recreation and Parks Department recorded 14 fatal drownings and 30 non-fatal drownings along the City-managed coastline between Silwerstroomstrand and Kogel Bay.

In the 2023/24 season, all fatal drownings took place outside designated bathing areas or during times when lifeguards were not on duty:

· 64% (nine of 14) of these fatal drownings took place on weekends and public holidays

· 79% of fatal drowning victims were male (21% female)

· 14,3% of fatal drowning victims were minors under the age of 18

· 85,7% of fatal drowning victims were adults 18 years and older

This season, Strand Beach recorded zero fatal drownings.

This is significant as there has been at least one fatal drowning at Strand Beach for the last four seasons.

READ MORE: The life of lifeguards more than meets the eye

This would not have been possible without lifeguards actively patrolling the beach, monitoring bathers by maintaining a safe bathing area, preventing swimming outside of that area and working closely with partners who share the same passion for preventing drownings.

This remarkable turnaround underscores the effectiveness of drowning prevention efforts and demonstrates the City’s unwavering commitment to beach safety.

‘The past season has seen positive outcomes in terms of water safety. At swimming pools, there were no major incidents, and at beaches, there has been a significant improvement from last year when 19 fatal drownings were recorded. I am particularly proud to highlight the remarkable efforts of our Swimming Pool Lifeguards, who have done a fantastic job preventing serious drowning-related incidents. Only rescues where patrons were helped out of the water were recorded and we thank our lifeguards for their vigilance and dedication,’ said Councillor Van der Ross

It’s worth noting that there were exceptionally high numbers of beach-goers and pool visitors due to the hotter-than-usual weather experienced throughout the season.

Despite the increased crowds, lifeguards managed the situation well, ensuring the safety and well-being of all visitors.

MORE INFO: Apply for a temporary lifeguard position

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN COMPILED BY THE WESTERN CAPE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES DEPARTMENT.