A swimmer died on Sunday in Lège-Cap-Ferret (Gironde), after venturing into unsupervised water. The prefecture of Nouvelle-Aquitaine had placed the Atlantic coast, including Gironde, on “maximum alert” on Saturday for the risk of formation of baïnes.
They form between the beach and a sandbank but their strong currents can quickly carry them out to sea. During the last summer season, six bathers died in batherS in New Aquitaine, according to authorities. The area where he was swimming was “not supervised,” said Philippe de Gonneville, mayor of Lèged Cap- Ferret. “The water is cold at the moment, at 14°C, and today there is a swell between 1.50 m and 1.80 m, with strong Currents of Baïnes at the Moment,’ he said. ‘We don't last very long, we get tired quickly... Unfortunately, it's a season that's off to a bad start,' he added.