As the days get warmer, more and more people flock to the coast to cool but bathers have been urged to be cautious when taking a dip.
The Intercommunal Coastal Rescue Service of West Flanders (IKWV) wants to make swimmers aware of the dangers of swimming in the North Sea. Lifeguards warn about water temperatures and strong currents.
“The sea is not a swimming pool,” says IKWV's General Director An Beun. “We have to repeat it ad nauseam, but it’s the truth. A lot of people wrongly assume that swimming in the North Sea is without dangers," Beun said on Friday in Blankenberge at the the summer season gets into full swing.
From Saturday 17 June, there will be at least one lifeguard station in every seaside town to protect people in the sea, but visitors and locals have still been asked to take their own safety measures.
“Even experienced swimmers can get into trouble in the North Sea. There can be a strong current and the temperature of the water is lower than in a swimming pool. In short, the North Sea is sometimes unpredictable,” said Beun. “We certainly want people to be able to have fun and go swimming in the sea, but with caution.”
The warning comes as a prevention campaign by insurer AXA dubbed 'Surviving in Belgium’ is launched. In it, experts explain how to deal with various potential dangers, including the North Sea.
