Lifeguards in eThekwini have raised concerns about the growing challenge of intoxicated beachgoers during the festive season, warning that alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of drowning.
Senior lifeguard Sihle Xaba has urged holidaymakers to avoid entering the water while under the influence, as it not only endangers their own lives but also puts others at risk.
“Alcohol and swimming do not mix. This is a challenge we face every single year,” Xaba said. He also advised against swimming while fully clothed, as wet clothing can weigh swimmers down, making it harder to stay afloat in strong currents.
The warning comes amid a spate of recent drowning incidents in KwaZulu-Natal. Last week, officials reported five drownings, including a 9-year-old child. On Saturday, a teenage boy lost his life at a beach in Richards Bay, while a Limpopo man is still missing after an apparent drowning at Eastmoor Crescent in Umhlanga.
Lifeguards are calling on beachgoers to prioritize safety by heeding warnings and immediately alerting lifeguards if they see anyone in distress. The festive season, a peak time for beach visits, often sees a spike in water-related accidents, prompting officials to increase safety measures along the coastline.