No Christmas Day dip, as council warns of dangerous seas

Brighton and Hove City Council said the warning comes as the Christmas holiday season and mild winter weather draws more people onto the beaches.

The council added it will once again be taking extra measures to discourage swimmers from taking a Christmas Day dip by closing access to the beaches around Brighton Pier.

Chris Ingall, the council’s seafront manager, said: “As open water swimming has become more popular over the last five years, we are seeing more groups of swimmers gathering for winter swim sessions.

“It is extremely important that those wishing to enjoy this invigorating and extreme form of free and healthy activity, fully understand the real dangers involved.

“Cold water sea swimming takes skill, stamina and knowledge of the physical dangers and should only be for the very experienced, using suitable wetsuits, in very calm conditions and with friends. Even on a calm day sea currents, unpredictable waves or a sudden change in weather can create life threatening hazards without warning. Even experienced swimmers can get caught out.

“Check the conditions on the day and consider all those in the group, the sea will be there tomorrow, don’t take unnecessary risks, that could threaten your life or others trying to help!”

Mr Ingall added that the seafront team is always happy to advise swimmers on sea conditions.

He said: “We have constant updates on the weather conditions and would urge anyone wondering whether it’s safe to swim to ask us first.”

He also warned walkers to stay away from the sea this winter.

“Everyone enjoys a bracing stroll on the promenade over the festive season but we would urge people to stay on the path or high up on the beach, especially when the sea conditions are rough,” Mr Ingall said.

“Unlike many other beaches, where you can gradually enter the water, Brighton and Hove beach has a steep shingle slope making it difficult to leave and enter the water especially during the four hours over the high tide period.

“The combination of winds coming in from multiple directions and steep shingle banks increases the risk of being swept out to sea.”

Parents are also advised to keep a close eye on children, holding their hands when on the beach and stopping them from playing ‘chicken’ with the surf washing up the beach.

And dog owners are urged to keep their pets on leads and away from the shoreline in rough sea conditions.

Mr Ingall said the recent footage of a woman being swept off her feet by powerful and crashing waves as she attempted to rescue her dog, captured the dangers of entering the sea.

“The woman had a very lucky escape,” he said. “If she had been any deeper in, that wave would have come behind her, over the top of her, and pushed her down into deep water. Fortunately, the force of the water pushed her back up the beach, otherwise there could have been a very different outcome.”

Regular beach goers can pick up a copy 2018 tide tables for Brighton and Hove from the Seafront Office for £1, at 141 Kings Road.