Truro Together July August 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS
Respect
the sea...
Living in Truro, there are many delightful
beaches to visit. Although fairly new living
by the Cornish sea, I have come to realise -
through experience - that “I want to go
for a swim” involves taking into account
a number of crucial factors, one being -
the tide!
Checking the tide beforehand is critical. I once
went to one of my favourite spots where the
sun was just emerging and high tide had come,
gone and going out again. There had been
a storm the night before, the RNLI truck was
parked at the entrance of the beach and the
red flag was up. No-one could swim in those
rollers! I hadn’t checked the tides or the
weather before going. So, from now on
whenever I want a swim - I do my homework!
A few days later I decide to check out
Trevaunance Cove in St Agnes, a new place
for me. I checked the timetable, tide was high
at 03.45am and it was definitely on the way
out, but still the waves were quite strong, so
I wasn’t wholly confident I was going to get a
swim. When I arrived at 7.30am it seemed
a surfers‘ paradise and therefore definitely
not on my own! Phew! I felt safe enough to
venture in…
As long as you respect the sea - don’t turn your
back too long on the waves - you can have
great fun jumping waves and having a dip. If
you are taking your family or alone make sure
you do your homework first before you visit.
Chapel Porth has become one of my favourite
places to go. It’s easy to get to from Truro,
(stop en- route with my coffee cup to pick up
a coconut latte - 30p off with my own cup!). As
a National Trust member car parking is free. If
you get there early enough you beat the tangle
of cars coming up and down the steep path
- which can get tricky in the middle of tourist
season. Recently, I arrived just before the tide
was going out. I enjoyed my best swim ever -
and actually had a swim! I picked the right time
that’s for sure, and there was no one around, so
it was like swimming in my own private, huge,
salty bath!
When the tide goes out, it leaves vast expanses
of beach which are for the whole family’s
enjoyment. As long as you know when the
tide is coming back you can plan when to pack
up your stuff and return home - and not get
stranded, or wet! If in doubt seek, advice from
professionals. Enjoy the beaches but keep safe
and don’t take unnecessary risks!
Useful websites:
www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk
www.rnli.org/beach-safety
www.rnli.org/ripsafe
In an emergency dial 999 for the coastguard
And don’t forget to put on sun cream. If there
is a slight wind it will make it seem cooler -
that’s when you risk getting sun burn.
24 Truro Together is part of Community Together