NEWS RELEASE
HURONIA WEST OPP
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National Drowning Prevention Week takes place July 17-23, 2022, and members of the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are warning the public of the dangers of the beach while remembering nine-year-old Zach, who tragically drowned 10 years ago. Sadly, some days on the beach end in tragedy.
Every summer, Wasaga Beach welcomes thousands of visitors that come to enjoy the 14 kilometres of sandy beaches that run along the Georgian Bay shoreline. It is also a sanctuary for residents who can enjoy the beauty of the beach, 365 days of the year. Unfortunately, every year, the OPP is called for water emergencies involving swimming and boating, and sadly some end tragically. Many of these tragedies are preventable.
The OPP has already rescued dozens of people this year alone from the waters of Georgian Bay. The public is reminded of their own personal responsibility for ensuring water safety for themselves and their children. Our local beaches do not have lifeguards.
The OPP would also like to remind everyone that swimming at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River is dangerous and is strongly discouraged as an unsafe undertow affected by the wind and weather can create a current that will take you under the water regardless of how strong a swimmer you are.
The dynamic weather changes that occur at the beach can also cause dangerous offshore winds that are often responsible for blowing inflatables out into treacherous waters, and are responsible for many of our police rescues.
Zach was only nine years old when he lost his life on July 18, 2012. Zach went into the water at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River, where he was unable to fight the undertow and drowned. His mother, Melissa Hasketts, continues to miss him every day.
"If Zach were here today, he would be 19 years old. Forever loved, forever missed. Not a second goes by that I don't think about him," she said.
Melissa has become a water safety advocate, promoting swimming lessons and all things water safety in Zach's memory and to prevent other families from experiencing the pain of such a tragic loss.
The OPP ask that the public obey all signage posted on the beach. Do not swim in unauthorized areas. The mouth of the river is one of these areas. There is a lot of boat traffic in this area as well, in addition to the natural movement of the river, making this an extremely dangerous place to be in the water.
The Lifesaving Society has several words of advice when it comes to drowning prevention:
- Supervise children. 'If you are not within arms' reach you have gone too far.'
- Always wear a life jacket when you are in a boat or participating in water activities.
- Learn to swim. Could you survive a sudden and unexpected fall into the water?
- Stay sober.
- Open Water Safety. Make smart choices before going in, on or around the water.
- Just Keep Learning. You can save a life. Yours and someone else's. Take a learn-to-swim, lifesaving or first-aid class.
For more information go to www.lifesavingsociety.com.
The OPP would also like to remind beachgoers that life jackets are available to borrow free of charge from any Ontario Parks gatehouse or office at Wasaga Beach.
"As a resident and frequent user of the beaches and waterways of Wasaga Beach, I am often bearing witness to senseless near tragedies that occur on or in the water, as a result I am asking parents to please watch over their children when near the water ensuring they are close at hand, said Inspector Leah Gilfoy, Huronia West OPP detachment commander. "Wear your life preservers, if you are in a vessel or on a blow-up raft. Know your own limitations when it comes to enjoying the water."
"The 'no swimming' signs are posted for a reason, please take heed and obey them. I want to see everyone safely having fun and enjoying the beach. Please, I don't want to get a phone call from one of my officers advising of yet another senseless tragedy that could be prevented."
The OPP plays a role in preventing drownings through proactive patrols and combines its law enforcement efforts with public education in order to improve both marine and water safety. An essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our waterways.
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