Belgian Lifeguards Warn of Growing Open Water Swimming Dangers

Belgian lifeguards and rescue organizations are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a dangerous rise in public nonchalance toward open water swimming. The Flemish Lifesaving Federation (Vlaamse Reddingsfederatie) is calling for greater emphasis on proper swimming education tailored to natural waters, warning that pool skills alone are not enough to stay safe in the sea, canals, and lakes.

The warning, issued on July 16, comes just one day after a man died in Knokke-Heist after swimming with his daughter in an unguarded zone where swimming is prohibited. The daughter was rescued by bystanders and unharmed, but the incident has underscored the deadly consequences of ignoring safety regulations.

A Growing Problem

According to VRT NWS, several people — both youths and adults — have gotten into trouble in open water in recent weeks under various circumstances. Karel Logghe, chairman of the Flemish Lifesaving Federation, emphasized on Radio 1’s “De Ochtend” that not everyone can swim well enough, and that open water swimming is fundamentally different from swimming in a pool.

“That is murky water, the distances are greater, you can’t take a short break,” Logghe said. “I think it’s important that we teach people to change their perspective.” He dismissed claims that swimming can be mastered in just ten lessons, calling such assertions “nonsense.” In ten lessons, he explained, one can learn basic skills — but nothing more.

The Sea Is Not a Swimming Pool

The Intercommunale Coastal Rescue Service West Flanders (IKWV) has also weighed in, warning that warm weather does not automatically mean safe swimming conditions. An Beun, spokesperson for IKWV, told VRT NWS that strong winds and spring tides have created turbulent sea conditions along the Belgian coast in recent days.

“They seem like ideal beach days, but at sea there is a strong wind. That causes heavy surf and in combination with spring tides, we’ve had a turbulent sea,” Beun said. “Even an experienced swimmer can easily get into trouble. We’ve noticed that this past week. Many swimmers indicated they got into trouble.”

On July 15, red flags were raised in Knokke-Heist from 3 PM due to dangerous currents. According to LokaalNieuws, the man who died was swimming in a zone where swimming is prohibited. The West Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that everything points to a tragic accident, and emphasized that swimming at sea can only be done safely in guarded zones during hours when lifeguards are present.

Parental Negligence and Nonchalance

Logghe pointed to a broader cultural problem: parents failing to supervise their children near water. “We have become too nonchalant,” he said. “People are on their phones, they have children, but taking care of them is a step too far.”

This echoes an earlier warning from June 25, 2026, when the Province of East Flanders launched a campaign with the message “lifeguards are not babysitters.” Dagmar Beernaert (Vooruit), Deputy of East Flanders, reported that lifeguards in provincial domains were completely overworked, with parents on their smartphones while children were in the water.

“Being on your smartphone while your child is in the water is completely irresponsible,” Beernaert said. “You are the babysitter of your child, not the lifeguards.”

A Cultural Divide in Swimming Education

Logghe highlighted a significant difference between Flanders and the Netherlands when it comes to swimming education. In the Netherlands, there is a strong culture of parents investing heavily in swimming lessons for their children from a young age. In Flanders, he noted, there is a tendency to rely on the government to provide swimming education.

“Parents there spend a lot of money to teach their children to swim,” Logghe said. “In Flanders, we always assume the government should arrange that. But our society is very diverse. People who only arrive in our schools after age 12 often haven’t received swimming lessons, with all the consequences that entails.”

Safety Infrastructure and Legal Framework

Along the Belgian coast, 82 lifeguard posts are operational in July and August, typically manned from approximately 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Swimming outside guarded zones is prohibited, as is swimming when a red flag is flying or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Swimming in navigable waterways is universally prohibited and punishable by law.

In May 2026, the Flemish government approved 10 new official open water swimming zones, as reported by VRT NWS, to meet growing demand for outdoor swimming. These include locations in Nieuwpoort, Overijse, Damme, Antwerp, Bruges, Lommel, Oostende, Waregem, Kinrooi, and Brasschaat.

What’s Next

Despite repeated awareness campaigns, lifeguards acknowledge that a significant portion of the public continues to ignore safety advice. “It’s really unfortunate to see that despite all the efforts we make to raise awareness, a large portion of people ignore the good advice,” said IKWV’s An Beun. “But we don’t give up.”

The Flemish Lifesaving Federation is expected to push for stronger swimming education programs that specifically address open water conditions, while authorities continue to grapple with enforcement of swimming prohibitions in dangerous areas. As summer temperatures rise and more people seek cooling in natural waters, the tension between the growing popularity of open water swimming and persistent safety challenges remains a pressing concern.