This petition was raised because of swimmer safety issues revealed in various newspaper articles this summer and the obvious lack of investment in swimmer amenities and infrastructure by Dublin City Council (DCC):

Safety issues:

1. Lifeguard coverage was dangerously low this year with huge periods where only one lifeguard was covering the entire bull wall and beach area as well the walkers.  Lifeguards attended two heart attacks and multiple swimming rescues without sufficient backup and without any backup in several cases. Beachgoers, walkers, runners, kite surfers were placed at risk due to issues like.
   • Defibrillators not being issued to lifeguard stations for long periods
   • The rescue boat weighs 500kg and is too difficult to launch.
   • Quad bikes which transport essential equipment rapidly to emergencies decommissioned as unrepaired for long periods.
   • Safety ladders along the promenade missing or in a dire state of disrepair.
   • Lifeguard huts unsafe and not fit for first aid use. Massive blind spots, broken windows etc.
   • Lifeguards not trained as first responders so cant give basic medical first aid.
2. Amenities:

• South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown have invested heavily in sites like the forty foot, Seapoint and the Vico baths but Dublin City Council does nothing for swimmers. We deserve the same outdoor swimming facilities our southside and European Neighbors enjoy with outdoor swimming areas all around the bay.
• • Basic facilities like toilets, showers changing areas are missing or in a state of neglect. 
  • Lack of toilets' mean dressing rooms often smell of urine
  • Signs have been erected in swimmers areas in use since Victorian times to say they are not designated.
  •  Limited Swimming season set up so year round swimmers are deliberately not given lifeguard cover or safety support network to save costs.

Thousands of swimmers and walkers use the promenade and the bull wall all year round and we need lifeguards and defibrillators at peak times. Swim locations are often very busy in May so the swimming season is too short. Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, USA etc have areas covered by lifeguards throughout the year.

Replacing the ladders along the Clontarf promenade has been neglected for decades. This area has occasional strong currents around spring tides which  poses a risk to inexperienced swimmers and the ladders are critical.

Clontarf Jetty (pictured above) has always been a very busy swim location on hot days and the  installation of showers to aid in proper hygiene for all swimmers after their activities is badly needed .As well as dealing with the complete repair of paving  and the  provision of a shelter from the wind.

Regular water testing and real time water testing to monitor and improve water quality should be in place to  ensure swimmers' health is protected  . Real time water testing is common in the UK and Europe yet we are often relying on week old data because of DCC’s archaic testing system.

DCC considered a white water rafting facility at the IFSC.  Why are they even discussing a high cost and maintenance intensive facility for a minority sport when we can provide a large number of amenities like other cities do for swimmers, and that also benefit walkers sunbathers and other amenity users?

Sign this petition to stand with us in telling Dublin City Council to meet their obligations to swimmers now.