Beach

The beach stretches along the entire eastern border of town, on length of around 4km. It is washed by the waters of Gdansk Bay. There are 39 entrances from the coastal park to the beach.

Between the beach and residential zone, there is a strip of dunes and a park on the north side of the pier. The dunes are overgrown with bushy vegetation, mainly composed of low creeping willowand hawthorn. The dunes are also overgrown with low vegetation, mainly grass (lymegrass, beach grass, sand sedge).

The beach stretches on width from 200 to 20m. It is forbidden to consume alcohol within its limits. Bathing is allowed over the whole length, including several bathing areas, equipped with toilets and showers.

Swimming

There are up to 10 guarded bathing areas, each on the 100m length of the shoreline, designated to operate in July and August. They are located between the entrances 4 and 33. Bath ban is signalled by a red flag. Bathing in a prohibited area is subject to a fine of up to 250zl. Three lifeguards should be present in each bathing area.

All dining facilities on the beach are required to provide 2 public toilets without maximum admission price limit. In addition, in July and August, free showers and makeshift changing rooms are opened on the beach.

Cyanobacteria

Particular attention is given to cyanobacteria, which produce toxic compounds. In the Baltic Sea, toxic blooms are created by a species of Nodularia spumigena, although there is also a number of typical freshwater species in the coastal waters, especially those of Dolichospermum and Microcystis. It was not found that strains of Apahnizomenon flosaque occurring in the Baltic produced toxins, unlike freshwater strains. Cyanobacteria are found in all water reservoirs, the problem only happens when their quantity increases.

The algae bloom is a term for a change in the colour of water due to proliferation of algae. When the algae blooms and continues, it adversely affects the appearance, quality and usability of the water reservoir. The colour of algae bloom is variable: blue-green, grey-green, greenish-brown and sometimes reddish-brown. This depends on the species making up the surface layer, the intensity of light and the age of bloom. Many species can secrete earth, or grassy odours. Such algal blooms can sometimes form foam at the edge of the bassin.

During the windless weather some cyanobacteria can float towards the surface of the water and create coats there. They look like spilled paint, jelly or flakes floating on the surface of the water. Coats of algae can quickly build up during windless days, but they can disappear as quickly as the wind suddenly increases and the undulation rises. Water blooms can be caused by the mass occurrence of one, two, or many species of micro-organisms, usually cyanobacteria.

Regardless of whether the blooms are due to cyanobacteria producing harmful compounds or not, their mass development is an adverse phenomenon. The impression of “water blooms” can also produce large amounts of tree pollen-especially pine trees, which in spring can be moved by the wind even over long distances and drooping to the surface of the water. By the wind and undulation of water the pollen can be transferred into the coastal zone of the lake, causing a pronounced yellow coloration of the water. The phenomenon can be observed in spring off the coast of the whole Baltic Sea.

Some cyanobacteria forming blooms are capable of producing toxins. The cause of this phenomenon is not fully known. These toxins have caused the death of wild and domestic animals, including swine, sheep, dogs and pressing fish in many countries. In case of humans, a rash has been reported in cases of skin contact with water and in cases of accidental ingestion of water (e.g. swimming). Hazardous is also inhalation of aerosols containing cyanobacteria toxins. Although blooms, as well as cyanobacteria, are not always toxic, it is impossible to determine whether the bloom is dangerous or not, based on the appearance of the water.

Sand cleaning

Daily cleaning is performed from May to September. In addition to emptying garbage containers, the coastline is cleaned of algae and waste spread by waves. The sand is mechanically sieved.

From October to April, cleaning is performed 3 times a week.

Administration

The city beach is administered by the Municipal Office department - Municipal Sports and Recreation Center, Bitwy pod Plowcami 67c, 81-731 Sopot, + 48 58 550-12-15. The guarded swimming areas are guarded by the lifeguards of the Water Voluntary Rescue Service WOPR, Bitwy pod Plowcami 67c, 81-731 Sopot, +48 58 7440 232. Sections of the beach are rent by private entities that in turn commission life guard service from the forementioned organisation.