In Senegal at least 40 people drowned at beaches in Dakar and its suburbs this summer. The capital is surrounded by water but most of the beaches are prohibited due to strong currents and lack of lifeguards.
The calmer beaches have been privatised by hotels or blocked off by developers, leaving people with few places to cool off during the summer.
But the main problem is a combination of poor urban planning and teaching children from a young age how to enjoy water sports.
Emmanuelle Landais has this report from Dakar.
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