The water watch on Corpus Christi has managed several rescue operations. There was a lack of insight from the athletes, some of whom consciously put themselves in danger.
County - It's a ride on the razor blade. Scenes like Corpus Christi shake your head - especially among the rescue workers. People are on the rivers with kayaks and rubber dinghies - at high water. The water is brown and churned. Flushed branches and trunks under the surface make such a ride unpredictable even for experienced and well-equipped water sports enthusiasts. That did not stop everyone on Thursday. Two dinghy drivers had to be rescued on the Loisach. The brazen: They wanted to continue after the rescue. A kayaker capsized. On the Ascension weekend, the helpers had to bring numerous sailors from Lake Staffelsee. Is the number of unreasonable people increasing?
Marc Lehmann says no. "There have always been incidents like this, and there will always be incidents," summarizes the head of the district water guard with resignation. The helpers had to leave Corpus Christi five times alone - four times in flowing water. Nevertheless, he cannot yet make out any tendency towards more deployments. Everything is as it was. "The usual problems." Lehmann is surprised at the recklessness of some. There are now tons of ways to find out about the current situation. Almost everyone has a smartphone, there are apps. They could even save lives, says Lehmann.
But some amateur athletes don't seem to be interested. Despite the onset of thunderstorms and thundering masses of water, they risk their lives. In the meantime, a look at the info portal www.hnd.bayern.de is enough. The site provides information about the flood situation - also in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district. "The side should also be observed," emphasizes Lehmann. He recommends this to water sports enthusiasts. And if not, "then common sense should be switched on at least on site".
The water guard chief is looking forward to this Saturday. The weather forecast predicts storms again in the afternoon. And they can brew together very quickly. "We have already experienced thunderstorms that can be raised within 15 minutes," emphasizes Lehmann. Then being on the Staffelsee by boat, three kilometers from the shore - "it can take too long".
That is why the helpers always drive off the lakes before thunderstorms and look after the right things. "Many are careful, sometimes go ashore an hour before a thunderstorm announcement." But it is clear to him that in water sports, like everywhere in society, there are black sheep who want to brave storms and rain on the water themselves.
It is not uncommon for false alarms to follow. If there is still clothing on a lake shore when it rains, passers-by quickly call the water watch. Right in itself, Lehmann assures. But often the supposedly missing person sits on an island or waits for the storm with a beer in a restaurant. The search was then free.
So need more warning signs? How can athletes be made more aware of the topic? The district office as the responsible authority for security and order as well as water law will deal with these questions next week in an exchange with rescue organizations.
