Baïnes, “small basins” in Basque, are natural phenomena which occur mainly on the Aquitaine coast, and sometimes on certain coasts of Brittany or the English Channel, or even in the Mediterranean. They occur at a specific time of each tide depending on the swell and the coefficients.
The bigger the waves and the higher the coefficient, the more dangerous the baïnes are. To spot them, you have to pay attention to bowls and puddles, especially those where children play at low tide. When the tide rises, the basin will fill giving an impression of calm which will attract swimmers. The main risk is that he becomes exhausted fighting against the current and drowns. Although it may seem counterintuitive, you should rather swim in the waves than in calmer places. And of course, in monitored areas demarcated by flags. The regional prefecture is warning of a maximum risk this Saturday, April 13 in the departments of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes, Gironde and Charente-Maritime.