A long weekend, the full moon Spring tide, stormy weather and the South African Heritage Day celebrations combine to bring cautionary advice from the National Sea Rescue Institute to water sport activity enthusiasts, beach goers and boat users.
Boaters and paddlers at sea, bathers at beaches and at dams, rivers, lakes and swimming pools and anglers fishing from the coastline and along the banks of flooded rivers, swollen dams and lakes are urged to exercise extreme caution over this long weekend and holiday season.
Very rough sea conditions can be expected to last well into next week following the series of cold fronts converging over our coastline.
This coupled with the full moon Spring tide will result in dangerous sea conditions along the entire coastline.
Spring tide happens twice during every month of the year at full moon and at new moon and lasts for a few days leading up to the full moon and the new moon.
Spring tides affect every coastline bringing higher than normal high tides, lower than normal low tides and hence stronger than normal rip currents.
There are two high tides and two low tides on most days day of the year.
Anyone caught in a rip current should not panic and should simply make every effort to stay afloat while the rip current sweeps you out to sea.
Do not fight against the current. Stay afloat by treading water – moving your arms and legs in circular movements.
Wave an arm towards shore and scream for help to alert people on the shore that you are in trouble.
At your first opportunity swim across the beach front, parallel to the coastline, until you are free of the rip current and then use the incoming waves to get back to shore.
Boaters and paddlers should wear their life-jackets at all times when on water, carry and be familiar with the use of safety equipment.
Bathers should go to beaches when and where lifeguards are on duty and swim within the demarcated safe swimming zones posted by the lifeguards on beaches.
Anglers should never turn their back on the sea while fishing from the shore and be aware of and stay well clear of the high water mark especially during the Spring tide.
Children should have responsible adult supervision around all water.
Alcohol should not be consumed when embarking on water activities.
