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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that these storm watchers are a bunch of idiots?

30 replies

AndHarry · 28/10/2013 07:56

BBC pictures here. Who considers it a good idea, in supposedly the worst storm in 26 years, to:

  • stand on the end of a marina wall with waves washing over it;
  • let their 4 year old play in the foam on the beach;
  • go kite surfing?!
OP posts:
TEErickOrTEEreat · 28/10/2013 07:59

There are a lot of stupid people in the world.

phantomhairpuller · 28/10/2013 08:00

YANBU

Anyone who bought into the whole 'storm' idea in the first place is an idiot IMO.

Storm in a teacup more like Smile

TiredDog · 28/10/2013 08:03

I agree re the marina wall.

The kite surfers do this all the time and were out before the storm hit. Paddling in a bit of rough water is not dangerous. If a toddler is up to their knees their parent is going to get their ankle wet. Pictures don't tell the full story

Experiencing a wild storm safely is one of life's joys. It doesn't mean being indoors nor does it mean danger

TEErickOrTEEreat · 28/10/2013 08:06

It's actually quite bad down south, phantom.

Blongle · 28/10/2013 08:10

I would guess (and hope!) that the toddler is nowhere near the water and it is just that the wind has blown the foam up the beach so no danger of being swept away.

TotallyAddictedToLurking · 28/10/2013 08:10

Phantom have you not seen those photos? The storm is pretty bad for some!

As for those people playing in the storm, irresponsible and stupid! Who thinks 'i know kids let's go down to the beach in hurricane winds and a violent sea'????

GuillotineLibertine73 · 28/10/2013 08:13

A 14 year old boy had been swept into the sea and lost. I did wonder wtf he was doing on the sea front in that weather.

It's pretty bad here now S.E.

Sleepwhenidie · 28/10/2013 08:16

As I understand it guillotine, the 14yo was actually swimming Shock

EverSoNear · 28/10/2013 08:16

The storm has hit parts of the south hard. People don't realise how dangerous the sea can be in weather like this, we have already had a huge search and rescue call out, unfortunately it was called off due to the weather. Argus Link

My thoughts are with this family.

EverSoNear · 28/10/2013 08:17

The boy wasn't swimming, that was misinformation. There was a group of kids playing chicken with the waves.

AuntieStella · 28/10/2013 08:19

I'd agree that it's not always possible to assess what is really going on and level of danger from pix.

But it's a seriously poor decision to publish/broadcast them, thus making it look like a normal thing to do as not everyone will be able to assess the risks properly - especially as it's half term which might mean it's not just people who know the coastline who are near it.

TiredDog · 28/10/2013 08:20

I was planning to go to the seafront to wave watch Hmm (but it's not rough enough to be that exciting). It's a bit hysterical to class all watchers as irresponsible. The sea here is often rough breaking over the wall. It's part of ordinary life for us and in 50 yrs no one has been washed into the sea. I have been covered in salt from the spray just for being in the vicinity. Don't assume wave watching means being that close.

OhAntiChristFENTON · 28/10/2013 08:20

I have fences down (again) and there are fallen trees and floods all across this County and the next, not to mention that poor, poor lad swept out to sea.

Just because it's not happening outside your window doesn't mean it's not happening.

Getting pretty sick of all this apparent disappointment that it hasn't caused as much damage as predicted.

Agree with the OP about the pictures btw.

GuillotineLibertine73 · 28/10/2013 08:21

That link said he was swimming ever so ?

TiredDog · 28/10/2013 08:21

I would rather take my DC now and teach them respect and safe behaviour than have a teenager make the mistake that poor lad did

phantomhairpuller · 28/10/2013 08:26

Tee, I'm in Gloucestershire- crap effort from the 'storm' here.

I'm well aware that some people have got it bad. But all the panic that ensued before the storm had even hit, was a tad OTT IMO

PalakPaneer · 28/10/2013 08:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EverSoNear · 28/10/2013 08:38

Yes, the misinformation was about the link, a friend who knows the family has explained they were not swimming, but running away from the waves.

GuillotineLibertine73 · 28/10/2013 08:46

Ah I see, so sad.

janey68 · 28/10/2013 09:04

Yes of course standing on a sea wall, or under trees or visiting the beach during a bad storm are stupid things to do

But to me, quite a few of those pictures look like people inspecting storm damage after the storm has moved off, and the toddler is clearly playing in foam which is no doubt blown far up the beach. Again, after a storm.

FortyDoorsToNowhere · 28/10/2013 09:15

I don't know why people go out in this weather, unless they have to.

Original poster
AndHarry · 28/10/2013 09:30

I didn't mention the chap in the first photo standing on the prom because I think that's more what you're talking about TiredDog - going down to have a look and getting hit by a bit of spray.

The photo of the toddler is in daylight and I looked at them very early this morning janey so I'm assuming it was taken yesterday during the storm. That's not a risk I would take with my 3yo - it only takes an extra-large wave or them getting a bit too close.

Point taken about the kite surfer. Crazy fool :o

OP posts:
quoteunquote · 28/10/2013 10:08

go kite surfing?

Well our beach was packed yesterday with kite surfers, because it is perfect weather for kite surfing, you would go if you were a beginner, or lightweight, but a massively good time was had by all.

magicseaweed.com/Live-Bantham-Webcam/11/

watch ^^ husband and son were on here last night, and will be again in a bit, that Dan a good friend going back and forth now.

Fluffyears · 28/10/2013 10:30

You call that a storm? In Scotland we call that 'Monday'!

VivaLeBeaver · 28/10/2013 10:32

I like the optimism of the bloke with the small chainsaw and that massive tree!