Beach season extended in Bordeaux
Lifeguard monitoring will continue until mid-September
There was uproar earlier this year as plans were announced for the state to reduce beach monitoring in early summer in the Bordeaux and Gironde area due to Euro 2016 football tournament.
Staff were to be mobilised to help implement the Vigipirate (the national security alert system) and to assist with the Euro 2016 football tournament which was being hosted in several cities across France, including Bordeaux. 180 lifesavers were assigned to the Aquitaine region with 56 in Gironde from the 20th July until the 22nd August 2016. Outside of these dates the Municipalities are responsible for beach monitoring.
200 civilian rescuers were recruited for this summer, bringing the total to 307 rescue and aid staff mobilised on the beaches of the Gironde. It has now been confirmed that these staff will remain in place until the weekend of 11th to 13th September 2016, instead of the weekend of 4th September as initially planned.
With the current heat wave sweeping across the west of the country a dip in the ocean offers some welcome relief. The extended summer season will also be welcomed by locals and tourists alike who can now enjoy a safe beach environment until mid-September.
