A treacherous rip current nearly cost several children their lives while swimming off the Gwynedd coastline, it has been reported.
Three local men leapt into action when the youngsters found themselves in difficulty at Tywyn’s expansive sandy beach. A regular beachgoer revealed that “four or five” children were saved in separate incidents during the final days of last week’s scorching heatwave.
The events have rekindled demands for lifeguard services at a beach where rip currents are described as “not uncommon”. Those who carried out the rescues say they were “shocked” by the sequence of incidents that occurred on Saturday, June 27.
On social media, residents said that without their swift response, “we would be looking at another drowning”. Online, a woman commented: “Parents need to keep an eye on their children….. sitting on the beach and oblivious to the danger their children were actually in.”
Another remarked: “Things could have gone very differently today!”, reports North Wales Live. Throughout the years, Tywyn’s rip currents have resulted in numerous tragedies. In July 2015, a 74-year-old grandfather perished while attempting to save two girls who had been caught by a rip current.
Richard Guest, a retired bank manager originally from Bethel, clung onto one girl until a lifeboat reached them, but he didn’t survive the ordeal. His daughter continues campaigning for the beach to be “properly lifeguarded”.
Three years on, following three teenagers being airlifted to hospital after encountering difficulties, a petition was launched demanding lifeguards for the beach. This referenced a 2014 RNLI study highlighting the hazards of a rip current linked to a rock breakwater at the location.
Rips are powerful currents flowing seaward, which can rapidly sweep people from shallow waters into the depths. The RNLI explained: “They tend to flow at 1–2mph but can reach 4–5mph, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer.”
Weather conditions at Tywyn beach last Saturday were fairly calm – tides, waves and wind remained moderate. What unfolded afterwards sparked demands for improved warning signs on the beach to stop people assuming it’s safe when it isn’t.
On social media, one woman commented: “It’s a disgrace that children’s lives are being put at risk to save the cost of a couple of signs.”
The beach features a small notice alerting visitors to rips, but residents want warnings to be far more visible. Red flags are also displayed at Tywyn to indicate peril. Locals maintain the flags are consistently disregarded as they’re seldom removed.
RNLI lifeguards patrol more than 30 Welsh beaches. The majority are stationed in South Wales, although lifeguards work in Ceredigion and Denbighshire.
Daily surveillance at Rhyl and Prestatyn beaches begins on July 4 and runs until September 6, operating 10am-6pm daily.
Lifeguards vs beach wardens With county councils bearing responsibility for lifeguard provision, Tywyn Town Council has persistently urged Cyngor Gwynedd to provide resources. Given that the county boasts a coastline spanning nearly 300km and featuring dozens of beaches, the council’s Maritime Service has taken a different tack.
A spokesperson said: “An annual and specific risk assessment is carried out for individual beaches which identifies relevant hazards as well as associated mitigation measures. The identified measures then form the basis of the beach management and safety arrangements along the coast.
“Cyngor Gwynedd employs between 35-40 seasonal beach wardens who carry out a wide range of roles and duties, but do not include lifeguards. Such an approach is consistent with other local authorities in north west Wales.
“Cyngor Gwynedd continues to work closely with the RNLI and other agencies to promote safety on our beaches and along the coastline. This involves raising awareness of the inherent hazards that exist at seaside locations and encouraging visitors to our beaches to respect the environment, respect other beach users and take notice of relevant guidance and safety signage.”
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