Scared to swim alone

I'd say it was actually the opposite way around.

People who grew up near the sea are the ones who are aware of the dangers and who would only ever swim with friends - it's tourists who think they'll be fine and go off and swim by themselves.

No i would never swim alone it is nothing lile walking, running, cycling etc.

It is irresponsible to put other people at risk having to rescue people who think it's a great idea

I think it's fine to swim alone. Just be mindful of the weather and your abilities. I know there's terribly tragic incidents reported but for every one of those there's thousands of safe swims.

On a generally safe beach which I know well and on good conditions, yes, I'd have no problem swimming alone although I always stay in my depth. I'd be more worried about leaving my belongings unattended on the beach.

I'd say it's very different, unless you have a bike that can suddenly develop a mind of its own and whip you off a cliff 😂

It all comes down to experience though. The people who say it's not safe ever tend to be the ones who only know the sea from yearly beach holidays or similar. People who grew up by the sea have a different mindset.

I think it is - if you swim alone and get stuck, you drown. If you cycle or ski and fall, you can get yourself to safety much easier, even if it involves crawling with an injury to a road etc.

I think it's a combination of social media (these events would mostly be reported regionally in the past) and the nice summer we have had. My boss grew up in a hot country and he said there it's normal in summer to hear lots of reports of this kind.

Not a chance would I swim in the sea with or without lifeguards present.

I did, on Friday.

I finished work and drove down to the beach near the village I grew up in. I learned to swim in the sea, there as a child (Solent). It's never been lifeguarded.

The beach wasn't crowded but the tide was high when I arrived so the folk on the beach could easily see everyone who was in the sea really close up. Loads of paddle-boaders etc. and kite surfers further out. No strong currents.

I know the beach and I know how safe it is to swim there so I didn't give it a second thought. I wouldn't swim at low tide because you would be a long way from the beach and your belongings at that time.

I wouldn't do it at a beach I didn't know.

It was bliss.

U could tie one of those float things to you so you are more visible

I swim alone. Is it that much different to something like cycling or skiing alone?

Why are we hearing so many people drowning these days. Last night a family of four. Three have died?

Are people being swept away or are they going to far out in the sea?

It's really not safe. The tides and currents can change in seconds.

I wouldn't even think twice about swimming alone, I'm so surprised by the replies here. went on holiday last week, first thing down to the nearest rocks alone and jumped in. Go for it.

Don’t risk it. A lady drowned in Dublin a few years ago after going for a solo swim just before 5am. There was nobody around to see her.

💯 don’t swim alone ever.

People die all the time in water who assumed they were safe.

Thank God for lifeguards

The sewage situation is baffling. Generations of politicians doing short term policies.

Helen Dollimore is Hastings and Rye is a mighty exception. Follow her on social media to see what an MP dedicated to their community will do in terms of graft, courage, commitment and passion.

Imagine her for a prime minister - driven by doing the right thing for the electorate.

This

Yep I do if the sea is calm and I never go out of my depth.

Ideally only swim when the lifeguards are there. Maybe say Hello to them and let them know you’re unaccompanied so they can properly keep an eye. And ask them about the characteristics of your local beach - rips, currents, rocks hidden at high tide etc.

If swimming seriously, get a tow-float - they make you much more visible and you can store a phone in them.

Read the RNLI advice on Float to Live.

Read Tristan Gooley’s How to Read Water, which has a chapter on reading the sea.

And remember the saying, the day you no longer respect the sea is the day it gets you.

This.
Wait for the lifeguards or join a group

And do be very careful about the sewage. So many people are getting very ill.
It's devastating what water companies have done to our water quality

No, absolutely do not. Riptides can happen in even shallow waters and can catch out the strongest of swimmers, either pulling you to more difficult areas where it’s very difficult to get out or out into open water. Even if the sea looks fairly still and benign, strong currents can still happen below the surface.

Yes, this. You're lucky enough to have a beach with lifeguards, so just wait the extra hour or so until they start.

The sea is always dangerous no matter what the conditions are because those conditions can change quickly or your own condition can change suddenly. That said it doesn't mean you cant swim there. I would let dh know where you are going, go when the beach isn't empty, when the life guard is on duty. These are just small steps to ensure people are aware of you. If you swim alone and are alone on the beach. You are your ownly safety net. There's no shame in not being comfortable with that.

It depends on the beach, and the conditions. I live in Oz and happily swim on my own a lot, but the beach near me is gently shelving and the water is usually flat as it’s sheltered by a nearby island. There are beaches nearby that have big waves and massive shelf drops, I wouldn’t swim there on my own. In the Uk I would also be wary about water temperature, cold water swimming is more risky on your own.