Lifeguards
Porthcawl lifeguards when on duty fly the red/yellow flag. Check the conditions with the lifeguards before entering the water. If you see someonein distress, report it to the lifeguards immediately. If there is no lifeguard, an emergency telephone is available at the lifeguard station/lookout.
Rest Bay
1st Hour of Incoming Tide
Normally, the surf is best either in front of the golf club, in front of the point or around in the cove towards the town.
3rd Hour of Incoming Tide
We are now starting to lose the sand at the cove. Think about moving across or you will have to climb out over the rocks – assuming you can land without injury. The current is too strong to paddle against.
COME OUT AND WALK UP TO THE BEACH.
4th / 5th Hour of Incoming Tide
The cove has gone. The point has become VERY DANGEROUS with a strong rip towards the town which is worse on spring tides or N/NW winds.
THIS IS THE RIP THAT CATCHES THE UNWARY
You are now losing sand in front of the golf club. You have to go into the bay itself (in front of the lifeguard station) or COME OUT OF THE WATER.
Coney Beach
1st Hour of Incoming Tide
Seldom any good. A very strong longshore drift soon takes you across the beach onto the rocks.
The rest of the Incoming Tide
The best time. If the weather is very bad, there is an outgoing rip very close to the harbour wall and another close to the rocks.
