Bawsey Country Park sends out strong message to swimmers

With temperatures soaring it is no surprise to see sunbathers head to Bawsey Country Park but the park are sending out a strong message to prevent swimming.

The park are supporting Drowning Prevention Week which started on Saturday and continues until June 25 and had closed access to the lake to swimmers, with railings prominent warning flags.

A powerful video on their Facebook page is aimed particularly at younger men and created from real life events.

It is designed to highlight risk-taking behaviour of young men, focusing on the impact and devastation of not making the correct decisions whilst enjoying the water.

The park's Facebook page states; "Even in hot weather, the water temperature will be cold enough to potentially cause problems.

"Anything below 15C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement, so the risk is significant most of the year."

Despite warnings that swimming can be dangerous and with the two drownings there in the last two years, the most recent being Radek Gina, only 20-years-old, swimmers were in the water on the early evening of Friday.

With boats, dinghies and loud music people were splashing, swimming and enjoying some cool respite from the sun, but for what was the hottest day of the year there did seem to be considerably fewer than might be expected.

Many cars filled the car park and people returning to their vehicles in their wet swimming costumes shows that despite the warnings they will still swim.

Bawsey held a safety event for the public last August following the death of Radek Gina in June 2021.

Kristers 'Kris' Bednarskis drowned at Bawsey Country Park just two days after his birthday in August 2020.

According to the Bawsey Facebook page it states: "We are proud to support the Royal Life Saving Society UK's Drowning Prevention Week campaign."

Advice around safety in the water has been uploaded to the page over the last few days in how to cope getting out of depth.

One message from the Lifeboats association is to stay calm and float to live to reduce the shock of cold water which can claim lives.

Fighting the instinct to thrash around the advice is to lean back, extend your arms and legs and float until breathing can be controlled again when it is safe to call for help or swim to safety.

The powerful message to 'give yourself a floating chance' but rather than only focusing on what people can't do at the park there is a positive message too about what people can.

Such as walking, running, cycling, Geocaching, topping up tans, dog walking, paddling, picnics, photography and painting the scenery.

The park states: "These are just a few suggestions that offer safe and enjoyable ways to experience Bawsey Country Park."