Enjoy the coast, stay safe and help keep beaches clean this summer

Bridgend County Borough Council will be working alongside a host of partners to ensure that residents, tourists and visitors can enjoy the coastline of Bridgend County Borough this summer.

Organisations such as such as the RNLI, National Coastwatch, Porthcawl Lifeguards, Porthcawl Town Council, Surfers Against Sewage, Keep Wales Tidy and community volunteer groups all play an important role in keeping people safe or making sure that Porthcawl’s seafront area, beaches and bays remain clean and pleasant to visit.

From 29 June, lifeguard patrols will be in place between 10am-6pm at Rest Bay, Coney Beach, Sandy Bay and Trecco Bay, so remember to swim and bodyboard between red and yellow flags, and to surf or use kayaks and paddleboards between black and white flags.

Water bikes such as JetSkis can be used in the Newton Bay area, but please remain aware of other water users.

Anyone who gets into difficulties while swimming should lie on their back in the ‘Float To Live’ position, relax, and resist the urge to thrash about.

If you spot a swimmer in trouble, call 999 or 112 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard – more details are available at the RNLI website.

Things to avoid include swimming across the access channel of Porthcawl Marina, and diving or jumping from the iconic breakwater as the water depth can vary depending upon the tide.

Dogs are are welcome all year round at Newton Beach, Pink Bay and Sker Beach, but are not allowed on Rest Bay, Town Beach, Coney Beach and Trecco Bay between 1 May and 30 September. Please remember to always bag dog waste, and to dispose of it responsibly.

Visitors to Porthcawl’s bays and beaches are also being urged to think twice before lighting up a disposable barbeque as these can remain hot for several hours after use. Cool the coals with sea water, place the tray and its contents into a suitable bag, and dispose of the barbeque safely at home or in a litter bin.

On no account should hot barbecue coals be buried under sand or emptied out onto rocks as both have caused severe injuries to children in the past. Used barbecues should also not be left upon the beach as the tide can separate the grille from the tinfoil tray, and can cause significant injuries due to its serrated edges.

With stunning views and great surf conditions, Bridgend County Borough offers some of the best beaches and bays in South Wales and remains a popular visitor destination, especially during the summer months.

A number of local organisations work together to ensure that everyone can enjoy their trip to the seaside, and we welcome all visitors who behave responsibly, stay safe, and who either deposit their litter in bins or take it home with them.

Janine Nightingale, Director for Communities