THE Christmas long weekend at Alkantstrand has gone down as one of the quietest in years – in terms of both numbers and safety.
Lifeguards report a huge drop in numbers on 25 and 26 December – traditionally among the ‘top three’ days for bathers, along with 1 January.
About 12 000 people visited Alkantstrand and the Bay Hall area on Christmas Day and slightly fewer the following day.
Crowds peaked at about 20 000 on the 27 December public holiday.
On the positive side, no serious bathing incidents were recorded.
This was attributed to good crowd behaviour and the impressive presence and high visibility of SAPS members and CRG Security patrols.
Extra lifeguards at the Bay Hall added to safety, while excellent surf and bathing conditions also played their part in what was described by lifeguards as ‘the nicest festive season ever’.
Also remarkable has been the clean-up teams that have had the bathing areas cleared of glass and litter and in superb shape long before the first beach goers arrive in the morning.
But the big test will come on New Year’s Day, when 50 000 are expected to make the pilgrimage to Alkantstrand.
Motorists – especially taxi and bus operators – are reminded that all beach traffic will be switched to the ‘wrong side’ of the John Ross Parkway at the East Central Arterial and Arboretum (R619) robot intersections.
This will allow for a direct and free flow of traffic to Alkantstrand and the Bay Hall, while traffic to and from Meerensee will share the other side of the highway.
Signage will be erected and there will be a large number of traffic officers on duty.
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