Lifeguards will start supervising the City of Helsinki’s beaches on 7 June. Aurinkolahti and Hietaranta beaches will be supervised by lifeguards daily from 10:00 to 20:00 while Munkkiniemi, Lauttasaari, Pikkukoski, Mustikkamaa, Tuorinniemi, Laajasalo, Marjaniemi, Rastila, Iso Kallahti, Kallahdenniemi will be supervised daily from 10:00 to 18:00, including on public holidays and Midsummer, for example.
There is a new series of videos on Helsinki-kanava(Link leads to external service) that provides an introduction to each of the 12 beaches supervised by lifeguards. The introductions provide a detailed overview of the features of each beach along with a wealth of additional information. The video series also includes the general instructions for using the beaches to remind you of all the things you need to take into consideration while hanging out at the beach. The general instructions for using the beaches of the City of Helsinki and the introductory videos to the beaches can be found in the Helsinki-kanava video series here >>(Link leads to external service)
As in previous summers, the water temperatures of the beaches and blue-green algae sightings will be updated daily on the ulkoliikunta.fi(Link leads to external service) service.
Remember the safety guidelines for swimming
Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the coronavirus, all swimmers should follow the safety guidelines for swimming even when swimming outdoors. The risk of infection is mostly associated with close contact between swimmers. It is important to comply with general hygiene and safety instructions to prevent the virus from spreading at pools and beaches.The Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (SUH)(Link leads to external service) has published safety guidelines for swimming:
- If you are ill, stay home!
- Avoid crowded beaches.
- Enjoy beaches with your family and friends, but keep a distance of two metres from others on the beach and while swimming.
- Cough and blow your nose into a tissue at the beach. Remember good hand hygiene at the toilets, outdoor exercise premises and children’s playgrounds.
- Look after the environment. Put rubbish into a bin or take it with you.
- Read the information board at the beach and act accordingly. You can always ask the lifeguards for help.
- Swim safely:
- Keep children within arm’s length of yourself.
- Swim along the shoreline; pay attention to the swimming area.
- Go swimming with a friend.
SUH’s website also provides a wealth of information about water and beach safety. Visit SUH’s website at suh.fi(Link leads to external service).