52 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Rowboat detective solves an effluent mystery on the Gorge

 

https://cheknews.ca/...-gorge-1269948/

[LJ]

The Gorge and Langford Lake have both reopened to swimming.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

 

 

 

3 Greater Victoria beach advisories lifted in time for B.C. Day long weekend

All Langford lakes have been given the all-clear

 

https://www.vicnews....weekend-8172544

[Victoria Watcher]

The District of Oak Bay says Willows Beach is unsafe for swimming “until further notice” after high levels of bacteria were detected in the water.

 

Island Health issued an advisory for the beach off Beach Drive on Aug. 11, the same day the district took to social media saying recent water tests have “indicated high levels of bacteria in the water … which may pose a risk to health.”

 

The health authority cites “Unsatisfactory Bacteriological Water Results.”

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...cteria-1271701/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 August 2025 - 11:39 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Just in time for a few rainy days, a long-standing blue-green algae bloom advisory has been lifted at Elk Lake.

 

The Capital Regional District says the advisory, which had been in place since October 2024, lifted on Thursday.

 

However, the advisories for Beaver Lake, Prior Lake and Thetis Lake all remain.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...visory-1272602/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2025 - 08:40 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

On the surface, it was just a group of strangers in the right place at the right time at Durrance Lake.

 

But look a little deeper, and the joint rescue that saved a man’s life last Sunday unfolded due to a fortunate chain of events.

 

“Sometimes the universe looks out for you,” says Kimiko Hirakida, director of programs and services for the Life Saving Society of BC & Yukon. “I would say that’s exactly an example of that.”

 

CHEK News was first alerted to the incident Monday by Nick Banks, who witnessed the quick actions of strangers late Sunday afternoon where a man was brought up from the depths of the lake, revived, and put safely in the hands of paramedics.

 

“Somebody deserves at least a pat on the back and to be celebrated a bit,” he said.

 

Some quick work revealed one of those people is Josh Nash, who doesn’t usually make a big deal about his swimming skills.

“It’s just something I’ve done since I was a kid,” Nash said.

 

Josh was on the dock when he noticed a group of men in the water about 30 metres away. One appeared to be in distress, but after being thrown a flotation device, the yelling didn’t stop. The men were shouting in Punjabi, and no one nearby understood what was wrong.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...events-1272900/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 August 2025 - 12:27 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

No-swimming advisory lifted at Oak Bay's Willows Beach

High Enterococci levels prompted the advisory Aug. 11


https://www.vicnews....-lifted-8198545

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 August 2025 - 10:54 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

4 Greater Victoria beaches added to no-swim advisory warning list

 

9 beach advisories are currently in place across the region

 

 

https://www.vicnews....ng-list-8198345

 

 

 

Saxe Point Park Beach, Esquimalt Gorge Park Kinsmen Beach and Langford Lake at Ed Nixon Lane, were all placed under a beach advisory by Island Health Aug. 15 because of unsatisfactory bacteriological water results.

 

Sayward Beach in Cordova Bay was also added to the list Aug.14.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 August 2025 - 06:33 PM.

[Daveyboy]

Vancouver and other lower mainland municipalities aren't able to hire enough lifeguards to fulfill all of the demand for swimming lessons for children.  At the same time, it is forbidden for parents to teach their own children how to swim at public pools.  How is that for the ultimate nanny state?

 

https://vancouversun...lar---hero-feed

[Victoria Watcher]

They could always just pay more. And charge swimmers an extra $1 per session to cover it.


I can understand them being wary of professional paid instructors using the public facilities.


That might be a misunderstanding with that one case. The nanny said she had no issues.


Also, you should be able to teach anyone to swim in just one or two hours. There is no spectacular skill to it, other than overcoming fear. If you can walk and run, you can swim. The physical part is simple. Now overcome the fear. Teach how to doggy paddle and tread water, maybe breast-stroke. All the rest one can figure out in their own.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 August 2025 - 08:04 AM.

[Mike K.]

It’s easier to swim in the ocean, too. Provided you can find warm water. There are beaches on the Island with shallow access that are as warm or warmer than any swimming pool.

Anyway, teaching a kid to swim in salt water can help them overcome their fears and figure it all out a little faster.

[LJ]

 

Also, you should be able to teach anyone to swim in just one or two hours. There is no spectacular skill to it, other than overcoming fear. If you can walk and run, you can swim. The physical part is simple. Now overcome the fear. Teach how to doggy paddle and tread water, maybe breast-stroke. All the rest one can figure out in their own.

 

Teach them how to do the deadman's float and they are good to go.

[Victoria Watcher]

Beach advisory lifted in Langford, others warnings still active

 

https://cheknews.ca/...active-1274802/

[Victoria Watcher]

Emergency crews were ­scouring Upper Thetis Lake on Friday for the body of a 19-year-old ­American believed to have drowned the previous night.

 

On Thursday just after 5 p.m., West Shore RCMP received a report from witnesses that a male swimmer had failed to resurface.

 

 

https://www.timescol...s-lake-11173826

 

 

 

 

Every time, seems to be non-locals.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 September 2025 - 09:18 PM.

[Barrister]

This is sad to say the least. 

[LJ]

Still only "believed to have drowned." No confirmation from family or friends?

[Victoria Watcher]

I guess they have yet to pull up a body.

[Blair M.]

They won't officially declare the cause of death until after an autopsy has been completed.

He could have had a fatal heart attack or an aneurysm while swimming, which wouldn't be drowning.

[Victoria Watcher]

The family of a 19-year-old tourist from California who drowned at Upper Thetis Lake is continuing the search to recover his body.

A Facebook post made early Saturday said his family had been told officials would not continue to look until Monday, once conditions improve.

“We cannot wait that long. My family is desperate to bring him home,” said the post, made by Nami Hewitt. The Times Colonist reached out to Hewitt for more information, but did not hear back before deadline on Saturday.

West Shore RCMP said there was no update on the search for the young man on Saturday, and View Royal Fire could not be reached for comment.

The social media post said the family is renting kayaks and snorkels to try to help find the body.

The family is asking experienced divers in the region to volunteer to help with the search, along with support people to help co-ordinate diving teams and offer supplies and guidance.

“He was a strong swimmer and just panicked,” they said. “All we want to do is get him home.”

Witnesses who helped the family on Thursday said they were told the man became tired while swimming to an island in the lake.



https://www.timescol...m-home-11176915

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 September 2025 - 08:09 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

It’s a tiny bit windy today, but are “conditions” really going to be so much better tomorrow? Or is the required assistant not available on the weekend?

Amateurs in kayaks and snorkels doesn’t sound like the best search.