If you visit a lifeguarded beach around the UK, you will have come across the different colour beach lifeguard flags that are deployed by the lifeguards for your beach safety.
What do they mean? It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the beach layout and the placement of these flags before jumping in the water with your surfboard or going for a swim.
Red and Yellow Flags
You will notice these flags as soon as you set foot on the beach. The red and yellow flags indicate which area of the beach the lifeguards are patrolling. This are is suitable for:
- Swimming
- Bodyboarding
- Inflatables
Black and white Chequered Flags
These beach lifeguard flags have been designated for surf craft only such as:
- Surfboards
- Kayaks
- Stand Up Paddleboards
Swimming and bodyboarding is prohibited within this area.
Red Flag
If the red flag is placed on the beach then you must not enter the water. This could be because of extreme weather patterns, an injury in the water or suspicious ordinance found in the water.
Orange Windsock
The orange windsock signifies strong offshore winds. When this is displayed, you should never use inflatables.
Beach Patrols
The lifeguards constantly patrol the beaches and can change the location of flags or change the type of flags throughout the day. If you are unsure of where to enter the water, the lifeguards are always approachable and able to give advice.
They know the particular conditions of the beach such as rip currents, tide times and any dangers that may appear throughout the tides.
The Surf and Coasteer instructors at OA Surf Club are all qualified lifeguards and are also able to give advice on local beach conditions. Some beaches that we operate on around Bude, North Cornwall are not lifeguarded and so local knowledge is essential to highlight the potential dangers of the beaches around here.
