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Don’t go into Danish waters alone, emergency services warn

With warm sunshine set to return to Denmark following a cooler spell, lifeguards are advising against solo swimming dips off the country’s coasts.

Published: 9 July 2019 12:02 CEST

Don’t go into Danish waters alone, emergency services warn

A lifeguard station in Blokhus. Photo: Henning Bagger / Ritzau Scanpix

Bathing alone is an unnecessary risk and should not be done without checking weather conditions, according to the head of Trygfonden Kystlivredning, Denmark’s coastal lifeguard corps.

“It’s important to take care during periods such as this. Never swim alone, since no one will be able to help if you get into trouble,” Trygfonden Kystlivredning head of operations Lasse Serup Jensby said.

“If you are on your own, choose a beach which has lifeguards present,” Jensby continued.

Swimming alone should particularly be avoided in dangerous weather, making it important to check conditions before heading out, the lifeguard corps manager said.

“You might be surprised by the local conditions. There may be high waves or extra wind on the day, creating a situation you are not used to,” he said.

“When the wind blows, large waves and strong currents can result. If you are unfortunate enough to be dragged further out by currents or rip tides, it is important to stay calm and use the waves to get back to the beach,” Jensby added.

Lifeguards advise five key approaches to swimming at Danish beaches and coasts: learn to swim; never go into the water alone; read the water and the wind; familiarize yourself with the beach; and do not let children out of sight.

READ ALSO: Cold Danish waters can be dangerous for bathers

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Parts of Denmark have seen heavy snow in early December.

Parts of Denmark have seen heavy snow in early December. Photo: Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix

Recent snowstorms disrupted North Jutland in particular and Denmark in general, and more cold weather can be expected this weekend albeit severe, according to forecasts.

“We won’t see the Ragnarok-like weather we’ve seen in some places recently again this weekend, but it’s now winter weather and it has also snowed in several places overnight,” said meteorologist Frank Nielsen of the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI).

READ ALSO: IN PICTURES: Early December blizzards disrupt Denmark

Cold weather on Friday and a low front across the North Sea will bring clouds and precipitation across Denmark from the west, Nielsen said.

That will materialise as cold rain or sleet in many areas but probably snow in North Jutland, he said.

“There could be between five and ten centimetres of snow north of the Limfjord,” the meteorologist said, referring to the waterway that cuts across the northern part of Jutland, including main regional city Aalborg.

“In the southern part of the country, an equivalent five to ten centimetres of rain could fall,” he added.

Friday’s temperature will be between freezing point and five degrees Celsius, with the north of the country falling in to the lower end of that range and the south the warmer end.

Mist and fog is forecast this evening, caused by various weather fronts moving over Denmark.

That could still be felt on Saturday morning, though it is likely to be a little warmer at 2-6 degrees Celsius. Mild winds could make that fell chiller, but snow is unlikely.

Sunday will see the temperature drop again, to 0-4 degrees Celsisu. Snow is possible, particularly on eastern coasts.

Strong winds in the east of the country and along the coasts will result in a “rather cold 24 hours,” Nielsen said.

Nighttime temperatures are expected to drop below zero throughout the weekend. Motorists are therefore warned to be alert to icy road surfaces.

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