What a horrifying story, which could have ended in many deaths of young people. Bay Escapades, a student group which organizes outings and activities for young adults to network, organized a hiking excursion for a group of about 80 young adults, this weekend near Cape Recife. Some hikers had gone into the water to cool off where there are no lifeguards on duty. Three men got into trouble about 300 m out after they had waded over the reef to swim and were caught in rip currents. Others got into difficulty when getting into the water and trying to help.

What strikes me, is that the incident happened with full moon, clearly a constant in many drowning and near-drowning incidents around the South African coastline. always causing stronger than normal rip currents. Why does this phenomenon not get more attention, in the media, etc,, For the Herald this fact seems even not interesting enough to be mentioned while RNews titles 'mass near-drowning incident at CapeRecife, NSRI urges for caution at beaches.' People should stay out of the sea when it is full moon and the media should warn people in advance, and those who organize excursions to the sea for groups, should gather information about sea conditions before heading to the sea!.