issue 4 digital FINAL

Explore Summer Africa Guide
Safety Tips When
Going To The Beach
Here are some of the dangers to be aware of and the general rules
applying to them when going to any of our beaches this summer. Try
and find out as much as possible beforehand about the beach where
you wish to swim and play: how do the tides affect safety conditions;
find out about currents, riptides and backwash – these can all land you
in serious trouble instantly; establish whether sharks pose a danger;
will you be competing for space in the water with motorised pleasure
boats or surfers; are there lifeguards on duty; and beware of blue
bottles, also known as the Atlantic Portuguese man o’ war, and their
terrible sting.
As their name suggests, blue bottles look like small little blue bubbles
or bladders with blue strings attached to them. They float in schools on
or under the water, or appear washed up on the beach. Avoid them in
all instances, as their sting is poisonous and can cause much pain. Their
long venomous tentacles are typically anything from a few centimetres
to about 3m long, but can sometimes reach up to 10m in length.
Also do not swim, bathe or fish in water affected by red tide, which
can be harmful and poisonous to humans and sea life alike. Red tide
occurs along most of South Africa’s coast and is an outbreak of harmful
algal bloom caused by large concentrations of red or brown-coloured
micro-organisms that discolour the water. Seafood such as mussels,
crayfish and oysters that have been exposed to red tide are poisonous
to humans. Never eat anything taken off the rocks or from the sea if
you don’t know what it is or what it can do to you.
Never dive off rocks or manmade structures into the sea if you don’t
know for sure that the water is deep enough for a safe dive. Many
people have broken their necks like that. Never venture too far into the
sea if you are alone or not a strong swimmer. Don’t swim alone at night,
and certainly not where any of the above-mentioned dangers may be
present. Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when
Sharks...And What You Need To Know
Sharks are an ever-present reality along South Africa’s coast and are
very active especially, but certainly not only, along those stretches with
warmer water temperatures. Almost 100 species of sharks may be
found in South African waters, alongside rays and skates. Among the
more fearsome and dangerous sharks are great white sharks, whale
sharks, tiger sharks, ragged tooth sharks, Zambezi or bull sharks, black
tip sharks, hammerhead sharks, mako sharks, cow sharks, copper sharks
and dusky sharks. In recent years numerous attacks have been recorded
on swimmers, divers and surfers alike.
The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB)
is a global leader in bather protection against sharks while minimising
environmental impact. It provides protective shark nets and other safety
gear at 37 of the province’s beaches. This protection consists of shark
nets that are 214m long and 6m deep and are secured at each end by
two 35kg anchors; all have a stretched mesh of 51cm. The nets are laid
in two parallel rows approximately 400m offshore and in water depths
of 10-14m.
Alternatively drumlins are deployed, consisting of a large, anchored
float (which was originally a drum) from which a single baited hook is
suspended. Most beaches are protected either by two nets or by one net
and four drumlines, but the quantity of gear varies from beach to beach.
The KZNSB also conducts research into the biology of sharks and
members of the public are educated with dynamic audio-visual shows
and shark dissections by the KZNSB.
Further south, along the spectacular coastal areas of the Wild Coast and
the Garden Route, are also many very popular beaches. However, as
these beaches are not protected against sharks and are prone to shark
attacks in some parts, find out as much as you can from locals and be
extra cautious and vigilant.
A Shark Spotting Programme, the only of its kind in the world, was
introduced at the beaches of Cape Town, particularly along the False
Bay coast with its warmer water temperatures. The programme was
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