Tom Waes opens the season of the rescuers in Blankenberge
From Saturday 17 June you can swim safely at at least one lifeguard station in every seaside resort. The other lifeguard posts will open on July 1. A total of 83 lifeguard stations will be available to all bathers, spread over some 34 km. The start of the summer season has been given today.
Tom Waes rescued
Today, the Intermunicipal Coastal Rescue Service of West Flanders (IKWV) traditionally started the summer season with a rescue demonstration. It was held for the occasion at the renovated Pier in Blankenberge. A special demonstration. None other than the national daredevil Tom Waes was spectacularly rescued from the North Sea by a team of experienced IKWV coastal rescuers. He wants to draw attention to four rules of thumb. (Read more below the photo)
Four rules of thumb when swimming the North Sea
- A first important step is to go swimming in one guarded area and this between 10:30 am and 6:30 pm, when the lifeguards are on duty. By following the instructions of the rescuers, you will go a long way.
- This year, however, a lot of effort is being put into it again awareness of parents with (small) children: we encourage them to make clear agreements with their offspring, to always put on a free wristband and to always guide them in or to the water. We hope to keep the number of lost children to a minimum.
- Also sun prevention remains a point of attention: sufficient lubrication is the message, and this again every two hours.
- Finally, a lot of attention is also paid to a clean beach and clean sea: the lifeguards not only distribute free waste bags, but also beach ashtrays to collect your butts.
An Beun, general director of IKWV: “Through various campaigns we try to convince beach visitors that they must first and foremost do their bit for a safer beach holiday. Naturally, the lifeguards are always ready to offer help where necessary, but as a beach guest you also contribute to a large extent to your own safety”