Summer sun and busy beaches

GEORGE NEWS - Another pearl of a day is expected along the Garden Route with temperatures expected to soar into the high 20s, which will ensure that all beaches are busy.

The Garden Route’s beaches are some of the most spectacular beaches in the country and we want all our visitors to stay safe and enjoy their holiday.

A daily festive monitoring committee meeting is held to assess available resources, identify possible risks and to put in place action plans to address these risks so as not to impact on our holidaymakers, with the goal to ensure consistent service delivery during this busy period and to keep George running as efficiently as possible.

Lifeguards

Lifeguards are a crucial component of water safety, especially during the festive season. According to Brett Ayres, executive director of rescue services at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), it is essential to understand that lifeguards are not just a few fit youngsters sitting on a beach waiting for someone to get into trouble and then simply go rescue them.

There is a lot more that goes into running a lifeguarding service than one thinks.

“Lifeguarding is a system. It boils down to effective training and development of lifeguards, great equipment and quality management. Our NSRI Lifeguarding unit has already conducted 29 rescues, 40 first aid treatments and 2433 prevention interventions since the 1st December 2022.

"Prevention is the real job of a good lifeguard, stopping an incident before it becomes a rescue, or a tragedy,” says Ayres.

The NSRI’s lifeguard units are equipped with essential equipment to perform a rescue quickly, but once the casualty is out of the water, they also have the appropriate first aid equipment, oxygen and an automated external defibrillator required to save lives.

“Our lifeguards are backed up by a VHF radio and cellphone network and are supported by our Sea Rescue base stations, beach safety cameras and national emergency operations centre that can activate a network of higher care in any emergency,” says Ayres.

Currently providing services to five municipalities and 26 beaches, the NSRI uses an app, developed in 2019, to report on this real-time data from lifeguarded beaches, and this also reports on the beach conditions and beachgoer attendance. In addition to this, the app allows lifeguards to perform daily equipment checks and send alerts out when equipment or disposable stock is low – all part of the effective management system.

The public are reminded that lifeguards are on duty at Gwaing Beach, Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Wilderness Leentjiesklip, Steps. Lagoon and Wilderness Salina’s on a full-time daily basis until 31 January 2023.

They are at beaches in the George municipal area from 07:00 to 19:00 every day, including weekends and public holidays.

It is strongly advised to only swim where and when lifeguards are on duty. Always swim between the flags and obey lifeguard instructions.

Wilderness: No swimming under the bridges, in the mouth of the river due to dangerous currents and deep slopes, left of the main beach, at Kleinkrantz due to no lifeguards present.

Leetjiesklip Beach is a popular destination amongst locals and visitors alike.
Photo: Kristy Kolberg

Dogs on beaches

In order to adhere to the Blue Flag international standards at all the beaches in the George municipal area, it is imperative to keep all dogs off the sandy areas.

This is also in line with the municipality's by-law for the keeping of dogs, cats and animals.

Two of the sandy spots in the George area where doggies may take a stroll with their owners are between the turn-off from the N2 opposite the Ebb-and-Flow entrance and The Views hotel, and in the Kleinkrantz area. Check the accompanying map to find other dog-friendly areas.

Both Wilderness Beach and Herold's Bay have full Blue Flag status and Victoria Bay has Pilot status for the 2022 festive season.

Dog poop

Dog excrement can contaminate the water and jeopardise the Blue Flag status of the beaches - even if the dog poop is picked up. Dog owners are therefore warned to keep dogs on a leash and off the sandy areas at these beaches.

Law enforcement officers will not hesitate to act against those who do not adhere to the by-law.

On a leash

Further to the by-law, no dog or other animal may be in any public street or public space (that is, any open public space that falls under the George municipal jurisdiction that the public has access to, such as beachfronts, parks, sport fields and sidewalks) except on a leash and under control.

This is unless the animal is in an area designated by the George Municipality as a free-running area.

A person is not allowed to walk a dog other than a guide dog, on a beachfront, a public street or public place without carrying enough plastic or paper bags or wrappers to place the excrement into, in the event of the dog defecating.

Please note that dogs are allowed on the sidewalk areas, (tarred, brick-paved) of beachfronts, if these conditions are adhered to.

The beach areas under the control of the George Municipality include Herold's Bay, Gwaiing River Mouth, Victoria Bay and the Leentjiesklip and Wilderness beach areas up to the NSRI (Salina's Restaurant). The area to the left of Salina's Restaurant (facing the sea) falls under SANParks.

The George municipal by-law may differ from that of other municipalities.

Fines

If your dog(s) could be considered dangerous, vicious or ferocious, please humanely muzzle them and keep them under control. No animals should be left in an unattended and/or closed vehicle or open bakkie in any public street or space. If this by-law is not adhered to, a fine of R500 and up can and will be imposed.

Emergency numbers

NSRI 082 990 5955
Fire 044 801 6311
Disaster Centre 044 801 6316
Municipal After Hours 044 801 6300

Swartvlei Beach was quite busy yesterday, Monday 26 December, with beachgoers enjoying the beautiful day and hiking to the popular Gericke’s Point.
Photo: Kristy Kolberg