Top tips for looking after yourself in Cleethorpes this bank holiday weekend

If you are visiting Cleethorpes this bank holiday weekend, here are some top tips that will help you stay safe and take better care of the resort’s unique environment.

Cleethorpes is a great place to be, so help us to keep it that way for everyone. The resort is a special place and we all have a part to play in looking after it and looking after ourselves when visiting.

Every year, hundreds of people put themselves in danger and need rescuing from the Cleethorpes coast. The main dangers getting cut off by the fast, incoming tides and getting stuck in the mud.

Beach and sea conditions are constantly changing. Before your visit, be sure to check the weather forecast and tide times from the Met Office at www.metoffice.gov.uk. If you search for the Cleethorpes Beach forecast, you can find safety advice, tide times, and the weather, including wind speed and direction.

Daily tide times are also displayed on the boards next to the Resort Team Hub, opposite the Pier. The Resort Team Hub is open 9am to 6pm. Pop in or call them on 01472 323453 for for beach safety advice, missing children, first aid and tourist information.

As well as looking after yourself, you can help look after the resort environment by putting your litter in a bin or taking it home with you.

Cleethorpes is an internationally important place for nature and North East Lincolnshire Council’s street cleansing and resort teams work hard to maintain the beach and keep it as clean of possible for everyone to enjoy.

Workers from the street cleansing team are covering the resort and destination parks from 6am to 5:30pm for the bank holiday weekend.

The beach is raked daily to prevent litter being drawn back into the Humber and the sea.

Top tips

Here are a few tips to help you stay safe and care for Cleethorpes this bank holiday weekend:

• Beware of fast incoming tides. Check tide times before you visit and leave sand banks six hours before high tide. Stay away from the mud.
• Beware of sand banks. Don’t get cut off by the tide. Leave sand banks six hours before high tide. If you do get cut off call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
• Sandbanks may look safe when the tide is out, but the tide comes in quickly and cuts off the sandbanks from the land. You won’t outswim the powerful currents and you will end up in serious danger. Don’t risk it.
• Beware of mud and soft sand. If you find sinking mud STOP, turn around and retrace your steps back to safety. If you do get stuck, don’t struggle as you will sink further. Remain calm, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
• Safe swimming – always remain within the yellow marker buoys to swim safely. Red marker buoys are for the use of motorised craft only. Always wear clothing designed for swimming – when wet, normal clothes can cause you to sink!
• Inflatables – Stay safe with inflatables on the water – be wary of offshore winds (that’s wind that comes from the land going out to sea) along with outgoing tides. You can easily get swept out to sea quickly, please be mindful. The resort team puts up orange flags to show the strength and direction of the wind.
• Wildlife – always keep a safe distance away and do not disturb. Remember this is their habitat, their home and we are the visitors. If you have concerns for an animal’s health or safety, you can report it to the resort management team on 01472 323356.
• Missing child, lost person or need first aid? Call 01472 323356 or visit The Resort Hub on central prom opposite the pier.
• Litter – leave only footprints, take only memories. Put litter in a bin or take it home. There are 328 litter bins in Cleethorpes as well as several recycling structures like Hammy the Haddock and the recycling globe on the prom to help you recycle on the move.
• Dogs – no dogs on the main beach between Good Friday and 30 September. Please keep dogs under close control so they don’t disturb roosting birds and other wildlife.
• Paddleboarding – avoid the sand banks if there are birds on them. This is one of the main types of bird disturbance reported. The sand banks are high tide roosts and the birds need their rest.

Float to Live

However you end up in the water, if you get into trouble, remember to Float to Live. You can learn how to float following these five simple steps:

1. Tilt your head back, submerging your ears.
2. Relax and try to control your breathing.
3. Move your hands to help you stay afloat.
4. Your legs may sink but that’s OK – everyone floats differently.
5. Spread your arms and legs to improve your stability.

The RNLI actively encourage practising how to float in a safe environment. It’s a lifesaving skill and having the confidence to float in a life or death situation could make all the difference.

For more on Float to Live, visit https://rnli.org/safety/float

Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the fastest growing watersports and is hugely popular in Cleethorpes. It’s a great way to have fun on the water and to get fit.

Whether you are a complete beginner, new to SUPing or more experienced, it’s always useful to know a few tips and tricks to help improve your SUP experience. The best way to learn and enhance your time on the water is to have a lesson. You will learn the right techniques including tips to help you get back on the board and develop your skills and knowledge of how to understand the environment such as wind and tidal information. This will set you up for future paddling.

Below are some simple tips to improve your time paddleboarding:

• Wear a buoyancy aid – A buoyancy aid, a type of Personal Floatation Device (PFD), will provide extra floatation in the water to help keep you afloat, but it will also help give you time to recover should you fall in – and chances are you will!
• Carry a phone in waterproof pouch – As well as being able to take photos of your paddle you can also use your mobile phone in an emergency to raise the alarm.
• Wear the correct leash – There’s nothing more frustrating than having to swim after your board if you fall off. The leash will also help you stay connected to your board if you get into trouble and help you float. Choosing the correct leash is really important – most boards come with an ankle leash however these may not be suitable for the environment you are planning to paddle in. If you are paddling in tidal or flowing waters such as rivers where there is a risk of entrapment or being caught on an object then wear a quick release waist leash. In a coastal emergency call 999 and ask for the coastguard and if you are inland ask for the Fire & Rescue service.
• Avoid offshore winds – Offshore winds are winds that are blowing from the beach or shore out to sea. Often with offshore winds the water looks idyllic and calm however this can be deceptive as offshore winds will quickly blow you and your paddleboard far out to sea, which can make it extremely tiring and difficult to paddle back to shore.

For more paddleboarding, advice visit https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding