Beach safety at Swakopmund’s designated swimming beach has come under renewed scrutiny following a dramatic near-drowning incident recently.
According to a Swakopmund resident, who shared their account with Namib Times, a young girl, believed to be approximately 16 years old, was rescued from rough surf conditions after she began struggling in the water. The resident said they were at the beach with a friend and several children when a man approached them urgently, stating that someone was in trouble in the water and asking for assistance. “Looking out, I saw a young girl struggling in the surf while two men, still fully clothed, were running in to help her,” the resident recounted. “I immediately grabbed my bodyboard and swam out to them.”
Upon reaching the group, the two men were reportedly battling to keep the semi-conscious teenager afloat. Using the bodyboard, the three rescuers managed to position her on top, though she repeatedly slipped off and drifted in and out of consciousness. “It was extremely frightening,” the resident said. “At times I was un-sure whether we would make it back to shore safely.” After what felt like a prolonged struggle, they eventually reached the beach. By then, the teenager appeared more responsive and was able to make her way to her mother with minimal assistance. The rescuers strongly urged the family to seek immediate medical evaluation.
The resident revealed that this incident marks the fifth near drowning they have personally witnessed at the same beach during off-peak season. They believe the actual number of incidents may be higher, as near-drownings are seldom formally reported.
Swakopmund’s main swimming beach is one of the most popular coastal recreational areas in the region and is used throughout the year by residents and tourists alike. Lifeguards are stationed at the beach during the festive season, but not on a permanent basis. The resident has called for serious consideration to be given to employing permanent lifeguards to ensure year-round safety. “This is the only designated swimming beach in a very popular coastal town,” they said. “It may have been handled more safely and effectively had a trained professional been present.” They also emphasised the need for water safety education and public outreach programmes.
According to the resident, neither they nor the two men who assisted had formal training in water rescue or managing a semi-conscious person in the surf. “I had no idea what I was walking into when I went to assist. None of us were trained. It was terrifying, and it could have ended very differently.” The resident added that their own children stood on the shoreline watching the rescue unfold, underscoring how quickly such incidents can escalate in a family setting.
Namib Times contacted the Swakopmund Municipality for comment and requested clarity on the following questions: What current measures are in place to ensure beach safety outside of peak season?; Are there plans to employ permanent life-guards at the designated swimming beach?; Is the Municipality considering water safety education or outreach programmes for the public? By the time of going to print, no response had been received from the Municipality.
By Eileen van der Schyff
