Spring most dangerous time at sea

Spring tide, the most dangerous time to swim in the sea, falls on two of the busiest public holidays this year and lifeguards on all the country's beaches are bracing themselves for a big increase in rescue calls.

More than 6000 lifeguards from 60 volunteer clubs and municipalities will be on duty on beaches around the country tomorrow and on New Year's Day, when spring tide hits South African shores between noon and 1pm.

At new moon, the gravitational pulls of the moon and sun are combined. This results in extreme tides, known as spring tides, when the oceans' currents are very strong.

Lifesaving SA's James Ross said: "We can't stop bathers from swimming during this time, but we want to warn them that the side currents and backwash will be much stronger than usual.

"Bathers should not venture too deep and should swim only in designated areas."

Ross said lifeguards gear up for the start of the festive season every year from December 11.

"Once schools break up for the holidays, holiday-makers head for the beaches, and that's when we have to brace ourselves because drownings are a huge part of the festive season," he said.

Rain brought down the number of bathers on Durban's beaches last year, but the number of fatalities remained high.

"The contributing factors [in drowning in the sea] are alcohol and swimming in no-go areas," Ross said.

He said bathers should not drink and swim, and should always swim at beaches that are manned by lifeguards.