Here are ways to observe what is going on on Brighton and Hove beaches and things to look for when you go for a swim.
In order to swim safe take the time to get to know your swim spot. If you are swimming away from home do your research and/or ask local swimmers and ask to join a local group.
Get to know the topography of your beach at all states of tide and wind direction. Here are ways to observe what is going on on Brighton and Hove beaches and things to look for when you go for a swim. Some observations will apply to all beaches but some are very specific to B & H.
Brighton and Hove’s beaches are sandy to the west and chalk reef to the east with a shingle sea defence above them. It shelves steeply at high tide and flattens out at low tide. The depth of the water will change at different tide times from being out of your depth within a few steps at spring high tide to shallow enough to stand at the swim area buoys at a spring low tide. The shingle will move after strong winds and is always higher making the water shallower on the west of the groynes due to long shore drift.
There are numerous submerged structures at high water that are identified by red buoys around the West Pier and red lampshades at the end of outflow pipes. But many of our concrete groynes are not marked or visible at high water. They really hurt if you accidentally swim over one and can of course pose a real risk if you don’t know they’re there.
Our prevailing wind is an onshore South Westerly which creates local waves. If you haven’t checked the wind speed or direction before your swim you can look for wind direction clues. Look for lifeguard or building flags or seagulls that always face the wind to keep their feathers flat.
A northerly or easterly wind locally is offshore and the sea will be or look relatively flat but it can be deceptively dangerous and can push you out to sea. Lifeguard posts will fly an orange flag.
If you haven’t checked the tide times before your swim you can look for tide state clues. Wet shingle on a dry day indicates the tide is going out as the sea must have recently covered it. Sea craft at anchor with the bow facing east indicates the tide is going out as it faces the oncoming tidal flow. Visible dry green gutweed on groynes indicates the tide is coming in. Really sharp dry seaweed in the strand line high up the beach will be spring tide high water mark and indicate we’re on a neap tide cycle because the sea hasn’t reached it for a while.
If you want to know which way the current is flowing look at other water users, are they drifting in a particular direction. B&H currents flow towards the west when the tide is going out and towards the east when it is coming in. If you are not sure throw a bit of seaweed in and see which way it travels. You will also see how strong it is flowing. If the sea is submerging the end of the groynes in Hove it is roughly mid tide when the tidal flow current will be at its strongest.
The best advice is always swim at a lifeguarded beach if you can. Ask them for advice or read their information boards. Their job is to keep you safe and will welcome questions and conversation. They also appreciate being bought hot drinks or ice cream
This blog contains specific details of the Brighton and Hove Lifeguard and Seafront Service for the summer of 2022 AND more general tips and links to useful resources for swimming in the sea in the summer.
Seabirds’ operate as a Community Interest Company that aims to encourage all local residents, of all swim abilities to join us in the sea. Our aim is to create a community space for people to enjoy the water and provide a way for swimmers to manage their mental health and wellbeing. The summer is great time to start as the lifeguard service is available and we have already seen lots of new Salties joining our flock. So as a warm welcome to warmer seas here is an informative blog featuring the iconic ‘Brighton Buoys’ and our summer season lifeguard service.
Normal Operating Lifeguard Service
The ‘SWIM AREA’ buoys arrive in early May ready for the lifeguard season to start on Brighton and Hove’s beaches over the May Half Term. Brighton and Hove normally has 11 lifeguarded beaches covering 14km of seafront from Saltdean to Hove Lagoon. The swim area buoys mark out an area that is safe to swim in if the yellow and red flags are flying and a lifeguard is on duty. They are not there for swimmers to swim round although many use them as markers to swim too and roughly measure the distance of their swim. If you were to see a bird’s eye view of them you would see they are never parallel and move around quite a bit in bad weather so it is a very rough measurement.
The season runs from May to September with the outer posts of Saltdean, Rottingdean and Ovingdean opening from July to September, as the schools break up. There can be between 2-4 lifeguards per post depending on how busy that particular beach is. The more popular touristy beaches by the Palace Pier have more lifeguards. All the beach lifeguards are supported by a lifeguarded boat that patrols daily and the Seafront staff and co-ordinators (the staff on the quad bikes).
Buoy Formation
These buoys are not to be confused with the boat lane buoys. These too are yellow but a different shape. However, from a distance, and as the swim area buoys are in a parallel line alongside the boat buoys, it is hard to see the difference. These buoys look like the picture below and are there to indicate where boats can approach to and from the shore. If you don’t want to get hit by a boat – don’t swim in these lanes. The boat lane buoys line up with yellow posts on the beach as per the picture below. This one to the west of King Alfred is by the boat winches and normally has kayaks locked to it. So if you can’t see the shape of the buoy from the shore – look for a post. The boat lanes are very close in proximity to some of the lifeguard posts most notably at King Alfred and Hove Lawns (D5) so please be mindful when you swim there as jet skis and small craft are allowed to launch and land there.
The most common rescue the lifeguards perform is retrieving swimmers from the Swim Area buoys. Swimmers head out for the buoys and when they get there can be too tired to swim back, not realise they made it there on a tidal current or offshore wind and don’t have the ability to get back, or get there and realise how far they are from shore and freeze both in temperature and ability to move. If you want to know more about swimming safely, improve your swimming confidence and technique or join us for a guided swim to enable you to swim safely this summer you can BOOK HERE
We understand, that for some swimmers having goals and targets gives you something to strive towards but this must be done safely. If you wish to increase your time in the water, build up to it slowly and stay close to the shore so you can exit quickly. Another way to measure your swim distance is to move parallel to the shore and count the groynes. These are roughly 100 metres apart and allow you to stay in shallower water and closer to a safe exit point. If you wish to swim to the buoys consider going at slack tide on a spring low with no wind. Don’t forget to wear a tow float and a bright coloured hat, preferably orange or pink.
The positions the lifeguards patrol are:
Duke’s Mound, BN2 1EN – 10:30am to 5:30pm
East of Brighton Palace Pier, BN2 1PS – 10am to 6pm
Central Brighton, West Street, BN1 2FN – 10am to 6pm
West Pier, BN1 2LN – 10am to 6pm
Hove Lawns Café, BN3 2FR – 10am to 6pm
King Alfred, BN3 2WW – 10am to 6pm
Extended positions for the summer holiday starting late July:
Rottingdean, BN2 7HR – 11:30am to 5:30pm
Saltdean, BN2 8SQ – 11:30am to 5:30pm
They are normally happy for you to leave your bags and belongings with them while you swim. And, they are happy to answer any of your questions or give you advice before you get in the water.
They will have boards close to their posts indicating tide times and sea conditions. There will be increased water patrols on boards and the boat and the new additions of towers dotted along our beaches have made watching beach and sea users much easier. They raise flags at their posts so it is easy to identify where they are and the safe swimming zone. A red and yellow flag indicates a safe swimming area. An orange flag indicates the wind is offshore and therefore inflatables should not be used. A Red Flag means it is dangerous to enter the water – this can be for many reasons and if you are unsure go and speak to the lifeguards on duty.
As RNLI Ambassadors we help share key messages about swimming in the sea safely. Below are their top 4 tips for using the beach safely and advice on what to do in an emergency.
Four Key Beach Safety Tips
Choose a lifeguarded beach. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
Don’t use inflatables in the sea. You can easily be blown out to sea with no way of getting back to shore.
Take a phone. In an emergency, dial 999 for the Coastguard.
If you’re in trouble in the water, remember #FloatToLive Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float.
What to do in an emergency
STEP 1: Call for help. Keep an eye on the casualty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
STEP 2: Talk. Talk to the casualty, encourage them to keep calm and float. Reassure them that you are getting help.
STEP 3: Reach. Try to reach them from the shore using any lifesaving equipment available. Do not go in the water yourself.
STEP 4: Throw. Throw a line to the casualty and pull them towards the shore if possible.
The seafront has a number of webcams to get an idea of the sea conditions before you leave home. They can change quickly though so be prepared to change you plans.
Water quality is measured by various organisation around Brighton and Hove. Surfers Against Sewage have a Safer Seas app that provides warnings if the water quality is low.
Seafront Office are happy to give advice. They cannot give you individual advice on whether it is safe for you to swim but can provide answers to general queries around water quality, sea temperature events etc. Their contact details are; 01273 292716.
The Royal Life Saving Society has great resources and go into more detail about using the beach safely and what to do in an emergency.
Pass the Salt 