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
Pass the Salt 