George Municipality urges vigilance as lifeguards take up posts for the festive season

GEORGE NEWS - With thousands of holidaymakers expected to flock to the coast, George Municipality has activated its full seasonal water-safety plan, placing lifeguards at key beaches and pools and calling on the public to practise strict drowning-prevention habits.

Lifeguards on duty: where and when to find them

From 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026, daily lifeguard services will be in place at all municipal Blue Flag beaches:

Victoria Bay
Herold’s Bay (including the tidal pool)
Wilderness Main Beach
Leentjiesklip

Operating hours: 1–13 December: 09:00–17:00 & 13 December 2025 – 28 February 2026: 07:00–19:00

From 1 March to 7 April 2026, lifeguards will be on duty weekends, public holidays and school holidays, from 09:00 to 17:00, with the option to extend hours at Blue Flag beaches during good weather.
Additional seasonal lifeguards will also patrol: Gwaing River Mouth, Wilderness Lagoon and Wilderness Steps.

These sites will be staffed throughout December and January, and thereafter on high-heat days until the end of the season. From 8 April to 30 November 2026, no municipal lifeguards will be deployed at beaches or swimming pools.

Municipal beaches and pools under George Municipality:

Wilderness Main Beach
Wilderness Lagoon
Wilderness Steps
Wilderness Leentjiesklip
Victoria Bay
Gwaing River Mouth Beach & Day Camp
Herold’s Bay Beach & Tidal Pool
Conville Municipal Swimming Pool
Uniondale Municipal Swimming Pool

How to prevent drowning tragedies

George Municipality urges every beachgoer, resident and visitor to take personal responsibility when near any body of water.

Top water-safety rules

Learn to swim: Early swim instruction is one of the strongest defences against drowning.Swim near a lifeguard: The risk of drowning is five times higher on unprotected beaches.
Never swim alone: Always use the buddy system — even competent swimmers can get into trouble.
Avoid alcohol or heavy medication: Both slow reaction times and impair judgment.
Talk to the lifeguards: They understand conditions, hazards and safe zones. Ask for advice when arriving.
Use sunscreen & hydrate: Heat exhaustion, sunburn and dehydration are common causes of emergencies.
Obey signage and flags: Only swim between the flags. Do not enter the water when no lifeguards are on duty.
Respect the environment: Keep beaches clean, pick up litter and avoid broken glass hazards.
Rip current safetyRip currents account for 80% of lifeguard rescues.If caught in one:Do not swim against it toward shore.
Swim parallel to the beach until free of the current, then angle back to shore

Protect children

Maintain constant, active supervision - drownings are silent and rapid. Stay within arm’s reach of children under four. Never rely on floating toys or armbands. Install and close pool nets and fences every time. Beware of drains and suction points.

Remember: a child can drown in 2.5 cm of water - stay alert around baths, buckets, ponds, fish tanks and toilets. Watercraft safetyAnyone on a boat or watercraft - especially children - should wear a proper life jacket at all times.

Public swimming pool safety

Lifeguards are on duty at Conville and Uniondale Pools from 1 December 2025 to 10 April 2026:

Hours: Mon–Fri: 09:00–12:00 & 13:00–16:00

Weekends & public holidays: 09:00–12:00 & 13:00–16:00 (two lifeguards + one standby)

Rules include: No diving into unfamiliar water, no swimming alone, no pushing, weapons or alcohol. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No diving or unsafe horseplay. Obey lifeguards at all times.

Entry fees: Adults (R17) children (16 & under) R5.