Brechin Community Council will launch a campaign to raise awareness amongst youngsters of the dangers of swimming in the South Esk.
The first warm days of the year have drawn youngsters to the banks of the South Esk, where six years ago a 12-year-old boy died when he went swimming with friends to cool off.
“I don’t want that to happen again,” said council vice-chairman David Adam, who wants warning leaflets distributed around the schools before the summer holidays.
Mr Adam, who regularly kayaks on the river, said a cooling swim might be tempting but the water could be very cold, in stark contrast to high air and body temperatures. His concerns have been raised by seeing youngsters in the river at the Inch or further down stream at Craig’s Pool.
The sudden change of temperature can create serious problems for swimmers and is often the cause of drownings.
Mr Adam said, “I have seen youngsters playing in the river with an inflated tyre tube as early as Easter. They are not aware of how cold the water is, even in the summer.”
He said youngsters should not be tempted to plunge in.
Water temperatures are slow to rise and the average for this time of year is 7C cold enough to cause hypothermia and be life-threatening.
The community council has agreed to fund a leaflet/poster campaign and will seek advice from the police and coastguards.
Montrose coastguard deputy station officer Scott Constantine said his men had been training on the South Esk recently and, as well as the chill factor, there was the additional risk of injury from glass and items thrown into the river at Brechin.
Mr Constantine said, “Near the old bridge in particular, there were broken bottles, old bikes and other sharp objects that could injure you.”