"Our grandparents lived on the South Coast and I spent many school holidays with my siblings on Worthing and Littlehampton beach.  We used to plead with our grandpa to drive us to the beach, whatever the weather, to mess about in rock pools and building sand castles.  We spent hours perfecting handstands in the sea (I wasn't worried about salty water on my bleached hair in those days!) and who could perform the best cartwheel across the sand (my sister Katie used to win that one), I used to chase my sisters with seaweed across the sand, and we spent many hours climbing (or stumbling) across the rocks at low tide looking for crabs, and thinking how pretty that whirly thing was in the sand when worms have been visiting.  

My family and I all love the sea and the beach.  Living in Shropshire as I do now, its now over a 2 hour drive now to get to Barmouth Beach (which reminds me so much of my childhood playtime) and I only get to see the beach these days when its high days and holidays.  My family still live very, very close to the beach and all my nieces and nephews continue with the family tradition of pleading to go the beach whatever the weather.  Even my mother's 60th Birthday party (windy, cold, seated on the pebbles at high tide and all having a lovely giggle) was spent as a huge family picnic on Worthing Beach with my uncles and aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins and so the family love of Worthing beach continues, whatever the weather...."

Safety is very important.  As children, safety does not cross our minds.  I'm sure Grandpa must have watched over us all to make sure we were all safe.

Try to visit lifeguarded beaches and look for the flags (see below).   Never, ever attempt a rescue, if you cannot see a lifeguard, call 112 or 999 and ask for the coastguard.

			There are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself by the seaside, whatever the weather.  Your children can discover what lies hidden in rock pools by dipping fishing nets into the water or by looking for crabs, starfish and seaweed.  For our dogs, well we just threw their toy into the rock pool and they spent ages trying to work out how to retrieve it.   Always put back into the pool anything you fish out.
			Treat the sea with respect, and face the sea at all times. Big waves can wash unsuspecting visitors off rocks. Rip currents are very dangerous and can pull you out to sea.  They can account for many accidents.  Rip currents looks like discoloured choppy flow of water pusing back out to sea. A backwash is especially dangerous for small children and care must be taken.  It occurs when the water remaining on the beach returns forecfully to the sea beneath the incoming waves A shorebreak is when waves break directly onto the beach.  They can cause serious neck and spinal injuries to surfers and swimmers.
			Always make sure that you've checked the tide tables, and look for flags.  Always make sure that you have a responsible adult with you.

Flags on the beaches 

Try to visit lifeguarded beaches.  

Never, ever attempt a rescue, if you cannot see a lifeguard, call 112 or 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Red and yellow flags indicate that the area is patrolled by lifeguards.  These are safe areas to swim, bodyboard and use inflatables.	Black and white chequered flags indicate an area zoned by lifeguards for use of watercraft such as surfboards and kayaks.  Never swim or bodyboard in these areas.	The red flag indicates DANGER.  NEVER enter the water when the red flag is flying, under any circumstance.	The orange windsock indicates offshore wind conditions  You should NEVER use an inflatable when the sock is flying.