(lives here on the beaches) - Many complaints were received in the Haifa system from swimmers who usually swim in the sea, because the municipality of Haifa does not leave a manned rescue station near the breakwater on the Carmel beach, for the duration of the winter season.
According to the swimmers, last year station No. 3 on the Carmel beach was staffed, so there were only 6 days when it was possible to swim near a lifeguard station throughout the winter season. On the other hand, there were dozens of days when it was possible to swim near Station No. 1, near the breakwater, but when swimmers intended to swim there, the inspectors forbade them to do so and threatened to file reports for swimming at the beach without lifeguard supervision.
Vera Shaham, a member of one of the sea swimmers' groups, said in a face-to-face conversation:
"It makes no sense to staff Sukkah number 3, which is far from the breakwater. Last year, because of this, we only had 6 days in which we could swim throughout the winter season, due to the strong waves in this area. On the other hand, in the area of the breakwater, near Sukkah number 1 on the Carmel beach , there were dozens of days when it was possible to swim, thanks to the good conditions that existed last winter in this area. Unfortunately, we were not given the opportunity to enjoy swimming there, because the inspectors threatened to fine us. It is clear and well known that the strong waves break and the sea is more comfortable near the breakwater, on many days the sea In this area it's like a pool. It's a shame that the municipality doesn't respond to our requests, it's really strange. It's hard not to think what is the interest in staffing Sukkah 3. I was referred to the beach manager who promised to get back to me and didn't."
We should note that the Haifa Municipality informed Lahi Fe that this year a lifeguard station will be manned near the breakwater at Bat Galim beach. But Vera says that she and the group of swimmers do not like to swim at Bat Galim beach and that there is often oil from the ships there.
"For the benefit of those wishing to swim near the breakwater, a rescue station was opened in Bat Galim"
Haifa Municipality gave a response to Haifa:
"For the third year in a row, the municipality will operate three lifeguard stations during the winter break as well. The stations operate at Zamir, Bat Galim and Naot beaches in Kiryat Haim, this is based on professional judgment and out of a desire to allow as many bathers as possible to enjoy the sea safely even after the end of the official bathing season The different stations allow swimmers to enjoy a variety of sea conditions that allow for different swimming styles, while for the benefit of those who wish to swim near a breakwater, a lifeguard station was opened in Bat Galim."
It is important to note that on Monday 24/10/22, the official bathing season will end in Haifa. For the benefit of the bathing public, during the coming month 8 lifeguard stations will operate at the beaches "Dado", "Zamir", "HaCarmel", "Bat Galim" and "Naot", until the date 23.11.22. The operation of these stations is intended to allow the many bathers, who continue to frequent Haifa's beaches even after the end of the official bathing season, to bathe in the sea safely, under the supervision of the lifeguards.
Friends who write Sara at Bat Galim beach. There is no such beach in the whole country, not only in Haifa. A beach where there are no swimming depth restrictions like in the Carmel beach.
Even in the season when there is a white flag, you are not allowed to swim any deeper than you have to walk a hundred meters in the shallow waters.
After over 65 years at Bat Galim, I assure you that there is no swimming experience like this anywhere.
I didn't understand why hundreds of thousands of shekels had to be spent to man rescue stations for a small number of swimmers in the winter when the water is cold.
Wouldn't it be better if this money went, for example, to giving scholarships to hundreds of children to enter and learn to swim in Sportan in the winter?
It seems a crooked order of priorities to finance a hobby for a few with public funds.
In addition to this there is of course the danger of swimming in a stormy sea in winter. I mean we encourage danger.
On the other hand, if a gentleman who has decided that he is a lady receives hundreds of thousands of shekels from the municipality to block the entire city for an entire week and walk its roads with bare prosthetic breasts...
So even an unknown surfer who feels like freezing in the sea needs a rescuer.