It was with a heavy heart that Zag Spy heard the news of a drowning at Kommetjie’s Long Beach yesterday afternoon. According to a report by the NSRI, a 13 year-old boy from nearby Ocean View was last seen swimming by family members at the popular surfing beach, before a strong rip current pulled him from safety and he disappeared under the breakers.
Volunteers from the NSRI Kommetjie sea rescue duty crew were quick to respond and began their search for the missing boy just after 16h00.
“Despite an extensive sea, shore and air search, which included a scuba dive search by Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services divers and a free dive sweeping line search by NSRI Kommetjie rescue swimmers, no sign of the teenager was found.” reported the NSRI. The search continued until darkness fell, and was planned to resume this morning at first light.
[ update – 10:30am ] – The young boy’s body has been recovered near the Sunset Reef side of Long Beach, after the search resumed this morning. Condolences to family and friends.
As surfers we become more aware of the power and dangers of the ocean (especially rip currents, which we often utilise to get beyond the breakers), but the NSRI have urged anyone looking to enjoy the ocean this holiday season to educate themselves further on how to identify rip currents, and what to do when caught unsuspectingly by one.
Click the image below to read more about them on the NSRI website.
