Coastal lifeguards open bathing season with focus on prevention and safety

13 June 2025

The official bathing season along Belgium’s coast opened on Friday, with lifeguards bracing for a long, hot summer and the increased risks that come with it. As they prepare for larger crowds, more lost children and potential accidents in the sea, coastal rescue services are placing prevention and public awareness at the centre of their summer strategy.

The Intermunicipal Coastal Rescue Service West Flanders (IKWV), the organisation coordinating beach safety across the region, has warned that a sunny and warm summer can be accompanied by serious incidents and large numbers of lost people, mainly children.

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Focus on safety

To help beachgoers stay safe, the IKWV is once again distributing free wristbands for children. These are available at lifeguard stations, first aid posts and tourist offices. The new design for this year’s wristbands was presented in Bredene on Friday.

But the focus on safety goes beyond lost children. Lifeguards are also warning that many beach visitors underestimate the dangers of the sea itself. “The tides, presence of sandbanks, currents and waves can surprise bathers and get them into trouble,” said An Beun, director of IKWV. “Lifeguards have found in recent years that many tourists are not aware of this.”

From Saturday, at least one lifeguard post will be staffed in every coastal municipality. By 1 July, all 84 lifeguard posts will be operational for the high season.

Less flexibility for public swimming

Belgium maintains stricter rules on open-water swimming than many of its neighbouring countries. It is forbidden to swim in the sea outside marked zones or when lifeguards are not on duty. Police have stepped up enforcement in recent years following several search operations involving swimmers who entered the water outside official hours or areas. While some infractions are tolerated or result in warnings, they can, in principle, carry administrative fines of up to 250 EUR.

In addition to supervision, water quality is also closely monitored. The Flemish Environment Agency, on behalf of the Agency for Care & Health, checks sea water for safety on average 1.5 times per week from June through mid-September. While the water is generally safe, quality tends to drop after heavy rainfall.

Public swimming ponds in Flanders are also tested weekly from May onward, with particular attention to blue-green algae. Recreational ponds are tested every two weeks, but swimming in these bodies of water is not permitted.

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With larger crowds expected on the coast this summer, lifeguards are urging beach visitors to be informed, stay within designated swimming areas, and respect the rules. The goal is simple: a safe, incident-free summer for everyone.

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