On the final day of the school holidays, the City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department hosted a vibrant, water safety celebration at the Long Street Indoor Swimming Pool in the heart of the city. The event forms part of the City’s build-up to World Drowning Prevention Day, observed internationally on 25 July.
Despite a light drizzle, dozens of children and their guardians arrived eager to participate in a day of education and fun. The historic indoor pool — Cape Town’s oldest — provided a warm and welcoming venue where lifesaving skills could be learned safely and joyfully.
City lifeguards were front and centre throughout the morning, leading interactive demonstrations and guiding children through hands-on activities that taught essential water safety behaviour. There was kicking with kickboards, confident splashing with pool noodles, breathing and blowing bubble techniques – all signs of growing water awareness.
The event also featured a static display of lifesaving equipment, including vessels, giving participants a closer look at the tools lifeguards use to keep swimmers safe.
A highlight of the day was the introduction of the City’s “Golden Rules for Water Safety” — a set of simple, memorable guidelines designed to help children and their caregivers stay safe in and around water.
These rules include:
- Only swim where and when lifeguards are on duty, between their red and yellow flags designating the safest bathing areas
- Beware of rip currents
- Don’t swim under the influence of alcohol
- Always actively monitor children in and around water
Caregivers also gained practical awareness of drowning risks and how they can actively protect their children in and around water.
‘While this may seem like just a fun day at the pool, what we’ve seen here today is learning in action. Through our Drowning Prevention Programme, we’re giving families life-saving knowledge that helps build a safer, more resilient Cape Town. I commend our incredible lifeguards and staff for making this event possible and ensuring that all our residents and visitors can safely enjoy our pool facilities and beaches’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham,
The City recognises that active, engaged communities are key to drowning prevention — by encouraging vigilance, awareness and shared responsibility, we are working towards safer, healthier environments for everyone.
‘For the safety of everyone who uses our public pools, it’s vital to teach life skills and swimming is one of the most important. Events like this encourage parents and guardians to prioritise water safety and ensure their children are confident around water. That’s something we want to see more of across all our communities,’ said local Ward councillor Ian McMahon (Ward 115).
This is the first time the City has formally marked World Drowning Prevention Day at a municipal swimming facility, using it to spotlight its Drowning Prevention Programme and the year-round work done by Recreation and Parks. The event also previews the upcoming lifeguard assessment taking place at the same venue in preparation for the busy summer season.
With free access provided to participants and a programme centred on guardians and children learning together, the day was a strong reminder that building a culture of safety starts early.
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