Ostend imposes ban on swimming at popular beach

The mayor of Ostend, Bart Tommelein, has imposed a ban on swimming at a popular stretch of beach. The ban was introduced because the formation of sand ridges can cause dangerous situations there.

The ban on swimming concerns the stretch of beach between the western pier and breakwater 2, which is almost at the Kursaal in Ostend. It’s a zone of about 200 metres. Due to the formation of sand ridges there, the city cannot guarantee the safety of bathers and swimmers. Sand ridges are a kind of small reefs that are not visible at high tide, which can cause people to trip or fall.

“There have been problems on that stretch of beach in the past,” said mayor Bart Tommelein to Flemish public broadcaster VRT. “Swimmers have got into trouble a few times. There have even been fatalities.”

Lifeguards will make it clear that swimming is prohibited at this part of the beach and there will also be clear signage. Paddling at the water’s edge is still allowed but going deeper than your knees into the sea is prohibited.

It’s not yet clear how long the ban will apply, but it is possible that swimming at that part of Ostend beach will remain prohibited forever.

^{#FlandersNewsService | People on the beach at Ostend © BELGA PHOTO IMAGEBROKER}