Beach Safety
Staying safe on Littlehampton's beaches and in the water
Beach safety is a serious matter at Littlehampton, where the combination of tidal currents, the river mouth and the popularity of the beaches with families creates conditions that require awareness and common sense. The town's beaches are generally safe for bathing when the basic rules are followed, but the sea and the river are powerful forces that demand respect from all who enter the water.
Lifeguards patrol East Beach during the summer season, typically from late May to early September. The lifeguard service is provided by the RNLI, and the patrolled area is marked by red and yellow flags. Swimmers are strongly advised to enter the water only within the flagged zone, where lifeguards can see them and respond quickly in an emergency. Outside the flagged area, and outside the lifeguard season, swimmers are responsible for their own safety.
The River Arun presents particular hazards that visitors should understand. The river is tidal, with a strong current that increases significantly during the ebb tide as water drains from the estuary into the sea. The current at the harbour mouth can exceed four knots during spring tides, fast enough to carry a swimmer out to sea in minutes. Swimming in the river is not recommended, and the harbour area should be treated with caution by anyone near the water's edge, particularly children. Warning signs at the harbour and the river banks explain the dangers, but awareness is the best protection.
Rip currents can occur on the open beach, particularly after storms or during strong onshore winds. A rip current is a narrow channel of fast-moving water that flows from the shore out to sea, and it can catch even strong swimmers off guard. The advice for anyone caught in a rip is to avoid swimming directly against it, instead swimming parallel to the shore until clear of the current, then returning to the beach at an angle. Raising an arm and calling for help will attract the attention of lifeguards or other beach users.
Children should be supervised at all times on the beach and near the water. The gentle shelving of East Beach makes it popular for paddling, but the water depth can change quickly with the tide, and waves can knock small children off their feet. Inflatables, including lilos, rubber rings and inflatable boats, can be carried out to sea by offshore winds and should be used with extreme caution, or not at all in windy conditions. The RNLI advises against the use of inflatables on open beaches.
Sun safety is also part of the beach safety picture. The reflected light from the water and sand increases exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and sunburn can occur even on overcast days. Sun cream, hats, shade and hydration are all important, particularly for young children and those with fair skin. The beach huts and the shelters along the promenade provide shade, and the shops along the seafront sell sun protection products.
West Beach and Climping Beach do not have lifeguard patrols, and facilities are more limited. Visitors to these beaches should be self-reliant and aware that help may take longer to arrive in an emergency. Mobile phone signal is generally good along the coast, and dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard is the correct procedure for any coastal emergency.