Drowning incidents spark concern as lifeguard rescue at Fish Hoek highlights safety

Cape Town’s coastline again took centre stage over the busy pre-Christmas weekend as drowning incidents elsewhere in the country underscored the risks of swimming at unprotected beaches — while a dramatic rescue at Fish Hoek Beach highlighted the life-saving value of patrols in the Western Cape.

Lifesaving South Africa on Monday extended condolences to families affected by multiple fatal incidents over the weekend of December 20 and 21, including beach drownings and flood-related tragedies. While several deaths were reported outside the province, the organisation said the Western Cape avoided fatalities at lifeguarded beaches during the same period — a contrast officials say is no coincidence.

The most serious loss confirmed over the weekend was the recovery of the body of a 17-year-old boy at Umdloti Beach on Saturday afternoon, days after he was swept out to sea. Two other youngsters remain missing after disappearing at a Wild Coast beach in the former Transkei. Both incidents occurred at beaches without lifeguard patrols.

Nationally, Lifesaving South Africa said drowning statistics have continued to rise, driven in part by severe flooding along the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast on Sunday evening. By midday on Monday, at least two flood-related fatalities had been confirmed in the Lower South Coast area, while police search and rescue teams were still looking for three people swept away in a vehicle in Amanzimtoti.

Against this bleak backdrop, Cape Town saw a markedly different outcome on Sunday afternoon when on-duty lifesavers intervened at Fish Hoek Beach.

At around 4pm, a 10-year-old child was caught in a rip current and dragged out to sea. An adult family friend who attempted to help was also pulled into the current. Lifeguards responded immediately, swimming out with rescue tube buoys and reaching both swimmers before they submerged. Both were brought safely to shore, assessed on the beach and advised to undergo further medical checks at hospital.

Lifesaving South Africa media director Dhaya Sewduth praised the duty squad, Rogan Krog, Kate Becker, Amber van der Byl and Nikolas Balden for what he described as “swift and decisive action” that prevented a likely double drowning.

“These patients were fortunate to be swimming at a lifeguarded beach,” Sewduth said. “This incident reinforces the critical message that bathers should only swim at beaches where lifeguards are on duty and during designated duty hours. Entering the water at unpatrolled beaches places lives at unnecessary risk.”

The rescue comes as Cape Town’s beaches grow increasingly crowded during the festive season, with authorities repeatedly warning that cold water, strong rip currents and sudden weather changes along the Western Cape coast can overwhelm even confident swimmers.

As the festive period accelerates, Lifesaving South Africa has urged Cape Town residents and visitors to heed warning signs, respect red flags and choose beaches with active lifeguard patrols — a message that, this weekend, proved the difference between tragedy and survival in the Western Cape.

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Cape Argus