Latest news with #Swimmers
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Surf conditions declared dangerous at P.E.I. National Park Friday
Surf conditions in P.E.I. National Park are considered dangerous at the moment, Parks Canada warned in a social media post late Friday afternoon. "To ensure visitor safety, entering the water is not recommended," the agency said in a news release, citing the danger from rip currents. Those hazards form when waves break near the shoreline, piling up water between the breaking waves and the beach. Swimmers can become trapped in the rapid current and be swept offshore. If you are caught in a rip current, it's recommended you stay calm, tread water and conserve energy while attracting attention. Swimmers can also try to swim parallel to the shore until they are out of the current. The best defence against a rip current is to stay on the beach.
CNA
a day ago
- Sport
- CNA
World Aquatics Championships: Conditions in 5km race much better compared to Jul 16's 10km starts
Open water swimmers say conditions during the Jul 18 morning 5km race were much better than Jul 16's hotter 10km afternoon starts at Sentosa in the World Aquatics Championships. The event two days ago saw one in six failing to finish. Those who competed in both say temperatures were cooler and waters were calmer. Singapore's 17-year-old Kate Ona finished as the fastest Southeast Asian in the women's event. Nikhil Khattar with more.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paris reopens Seine River for public swimming
France's capital Paris reopened the Seine River to swimmers on Saturday for the first time in over a century. AFP news agency said dozens of swimmers were present for the opening at 8:00 a.m. (0600 UTC/GMT), diving into the water under the watchful eye of lifeguards. The move is part of the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics and comes amid sweltering temperatures across Europe, including France's second-warmest June since records began. Paris authorities have created three outdoor pool zones, complete with changing rooms and showers and supervised by lifeguards. The pools are located opposite L'île aux Cygnes (Swan Island) near the Eiffel Tower, close to Notre-Dame Cathedral and opposite the Bibliotheque national de France. The swimming zones also have beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to sunbathe. Access to the pools will be free of charge until August 31st. A statement from the city government said water quality will be continuously monitored. Authorities said lifeguards would assess visitors' swimming abilities, particularly due to strong currents, an average depth of 3.5 meters (11 feet) and boat traffic. Bathing in the Seine was officially banned in 1923, primarily due to health risks from pollution. The river has historically been contaminated with high levels of bacteria, such as E. coli and enterococci, from sewage overflows, industrial discharge, and urban runoff. These pollutants pose significant risks of illness for swimmers, including skin infections and gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, strong currents, boat traffic, and debris in the river create hazardous conditions for bathers. Despite being illegal, swimming was still practised until the early 1960s and there have been several attempts to remove the ban. In 1988, then-Paris mayor and future president Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal. Authorities promised ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics that the water in the Seine would be cleaned up to allow athletes to compete in its waters. Around €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) was spent on improving water quality, which officials promised would benefit not just the Olympic athletes but residents and tourists for years to come. A massive underground storage tank was created to hold wastewater and prevent untreated sewage from entering the river during heavy rain. Wastewater treatment plants were also upgraded. During the games, the river hosted the triathlon swimming legs and open water swimming events. However, the swims weren't without controversy, as some athletes fell sick afterward. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has said that cleaning up the Seine for the Olympics was part of a broader effort to adapt the city to climate change and enhance quality of life. "Everyone should be able to swim in the Seine starting this summer," said French Sports Minister Marie Barsacq when the move was announced in May. Ahead of Saturday's launch, French President Emmanuel Macron praised the work undertaken to open the swimming zones, writing on X that it was a "source of pride for the country." L'un de mes prédécesseurs, alors Maire de Paris, a rêvé d'une Seine où chacun pourrait nager. Demain sa promesse sera tenue. C'est un héritage des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques de Paris après 100 ans d'interdiction, un travail collectif, une fierté pour le — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 4, 2025 Edited by: Kieran Burke
