Scared to swim alone

[Dontwantsummertoendreally]

Is anyone else?

We live near the beach. I’m starting a new job mid September, so I have a couple of weeks to myself at the start of September when Dc are back at school.
Very excited and decided to make the most of it and do some things I really enjoy.
These include going to the cinema alone, coffee at the beach, reading at the beach and morning swims in the sea.
I do this when we all go to a beach as a family. Dh sometimes comes in, but if not, is still there on the sand.
Lifeguards don’t start until 10, there will probably be some people around, but not many.
Would you swim out in the sea alone? Am I being a big baby?!
Did all these things when younger, without even thinking about it.

I hate the sea but for safety reasons I wouldn't swim alone. Are there no groups you could join?

No, no, no - I can't stress how dangerous it can be.

I wouldn't swim in the sea alone and certainly where I couldn't see the bottom.

I’d only swim alone with lifeguards working.

How well do you know the beach? Is it generally safe (or at least is it clear and obvious when it's not safe)? Or are there hidden currents and rips that might make it dangerous? Are there other regular swimmers there at the unlifeguarded times?

There are beaches where I would 100% swim alone if the conditions looked good, because I know the waters well, and also the times when it's not safe are blindingly obvious (like massive breakers higher than your head). There are other beaches where I would 100% not swim unless the lifeguards were on duty even if it looked fine, because people regularly and tragically drown on them. If I don't know the beach well and there's no-one else around, I would 100% not swim there.

I wouldn’t swim alone in the sea but if you must, please always yell your husband when & where you’re going and attach yourself to an open water life buoy with a pocket for your phone. I’d try and find a group or swim buddy.

This obviously depends on your ability and experience - are you a strong open water swimmer? If you are, then you'll know how to assess the weather, take a tow float etc - you'll likely be fine. If you're not, then no, you'd be mad to do this.

Was so ready to be told I was being over the top!
I don’t go out far and would only go in when water is calm, but probably best not to.
There are some people around and walking/sunbathing on the beach, but still makes me a bit unsure.

If you're off work, can't you just go after 10 when the lifeguard starts? I don't think depending on there being an early morning dog walker, who would then notice if you did get into trouble, is the best option.

See if there’s a bluetits group near you. Mainly women who meet and swim. No charge. Just a free to turn up social group. Swim at own risk.
May have informal groups under other names, depending where you are.

I would swim in shallow water that I could stand up in easily and knew there were no hidden drops or fast currents and with calm seas, I wouldn't be swimming seriously though, just swim a bit paddle a bit up to my waist type of thing.

Ex lifeguard here. Wait until the lifeguards are there and pay careful attention to possibility of raw sewage in the water. Or go to the pool.

The sea is prob full of raw sewage if you’re in the UK.

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.

Eww, is that everywhere, even Cornwall?

Not in the uk

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

This

💯 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.

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.

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.

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