For safety reasons the seaside resort of Ostend (West Flanders) has introduced a swimming ban on part of its busiest stretch of beach. The ban applies from the western breakwater bordering the Small Beach near the port channel and runs for several hundred metres along the beach to a place called ‘beach head 2’, which is located between seafront side streets Louisastraat and Vlaanderenstraat, where the James Ensor Centre is located, in the centre of town.
Ostend Mayor Bart Tommelein explained the need for the swimming ban on a beach that has become immensely popular since it was created in a bid to protect the Ostend Old Town from the sea: "The formation of sand ridges may cause dangerous situations".
Due to the formation of sand ridges, the City of Ostend cannot guarantee the safety of bathers and swimmers. Sand ridges are a type of small reef that is not visible at high tide, but which can cause people to trip or fall.
There have been problems on that stretch of beach in the past, says Mayor Tommelein. "Swimmers got into trouble on several occasions. There have even been fatalities. A lot of people from the interior come to this stretch of beach to go into the sea. We know there are problems with the sandbanks and whirlpools and that's why the ban is being introduced."
Paddling is allowed, swimming prohibited
The swimming ban is clearly indicated, also with flags on the beach. Lifeguards are at hand to make it clear to beach-goers that swimming is forbidden. Paddling is still allowed, but going into the sea deeper than your knees is prohibited.
"We cannot and will not take any risks. The safety of our bathers comes first. The weather forecasts for coming days will again attract many people to our beaches. Once again, I appeal to people to follow the rules. Do not go bathing where it is not allowed and always follow the instructions from the lifeguards."
It is not yet clear how long the ban will last, but possibly swimming on that part of Ostend beach will be banned for good.
In other areas, where swimming is permitted, at times when lifeguards are on duty, a red flag indicates swimming is banned due to the conditions. During the same hours, a green or yellow flag will signal swimming is permitted and lifeguards are present