Brighton town centre beaches to be closed for safety reasons today to stop Christmas Day swimming

Beaches near the Palace Pier in Brighton will be closed today to stop people going into the sea for a Christmas Day dip.

Brighton and Hove City Council also issued a warning about the dangers of winter swimming in the area although the wet and windy weather may prove a better deterrent.

The council said that it would “once again be taking extra measures to discourage swimmers from taking a Christmas Day dip by closing access to the beaches” by the pier.

The council’s seafront manager Chris Ingall said: “As open water swimming has become more popular over the last five years, we are seeing more groups of swimmers gathering for winter swim sessions.

“It is extremely important that those wishing to enjoy this invigorating and extreme form of free and healthy activity fully understand the real dangers involved.

“Cold water sea swimming takes skill, stamina and knowledge of the physical dangers and should only be for the very experienced, using suitable wetsuits, in very calm conditions and with friends.

“Even on a calm day sea currents, unpredictable waves or a sudden change in weather can create life-threatening hazards without warning. Even experienced swimmers can get caught out.

“Check the conditions on the day and consider all those in the group. The sea will be there tomorrow. Don’t take unnecessary risks that could threaten your life or others trying to help.”

Mr Ingall said that the seafront team was always happy to advise swimmers on sea conditions, adding: “We have constant updates on the weather conditions and would urge anyone wondering whether it’s safe to swim to ask us first.”

He said: “Everyone enjoys a bracing stroll on the promenade over the festive season but we would urge people to stay on the path or high up on the beach, especially when the sea conditions are rough.”

Mr Ingall explained how the beach at Brighton and Hove differed from other south coast beaches and had hidden dangers.

He said: “Unlike many other beaches, where you can gradually enter the water, Brighton and Hove beach has a steep shingle slope making it difficult to leave and enter the water especially during the four hours over the high tide period.

“The combination of winds coming in from multiple directions and steep shingle banks increases the risk of being swept out to sea.”

Dog owners are also being advised to keep their pets on leads and away from the shoreline in rough sea conditions.

The council said: “The recent Youtube footage of a woman being swept off her feet by powerful and crashing waves as she attempted to rescue her dog, captured the dangers of entering the sea.”