Sun lovers by the sea have no idea what the beach flags stand for. Because which color means what? Only a few know, and they could only be counted on one hand. Reporter Suzette Nesselaar came to that conclusion on the beach of Bloemendaal. “I thought the flags belonged to the beach bars,” says one of the beachgoers.
The IJmuider rescue brigade had to take action yesterday afternoon to save two women. Despite the warning with an orange windsock, they had gone out to sea with an inflatable tire. That flag means you can bathe and swim, but without floating objects. The two were eventually unable to reach the beach, so the rescue brigade had to come into action.
Enjoyment blown
Meanwhile, you can enjoy yourself on the beach of Bloemendaal: one is lying in the water, the other is drinking a beer on the side. The importance of the wind flags is extra important, especially now that the wind can be quite strong.
“When I look around in my group of friends, I don’t think anyone knows”
However, not everyone knows what the colors stand for. “If I look around here in my group of friends, I don’t think anyone knows,” says one of the beachgoers. “Few people know what the beach flags mean,” says another.
Warnings: what does what mean?
Always pay attention to warnings on the beach.
Red Yellow: Lifeguards are present at the rescue posts. They supervise and monitor the safety of beach visitors.
Yellow: Swimming is dangerous, it is recommended not to enter the water deeper than knee height. Due to the (still) cold temperature, swimmers can get cramps, which in turn can lead to the risk of drowning.
Purple: Swimming is not recommended. This flag indicates that there are dangerous (marine) animals and/or vermin in the water.
Red: “This flag indicates serious danger. This flag is raised when the conditions of the (swimming) water are very dangerous. Swimming, bathing and other activities on or in the water are strongly discouraged. Do not enter the sea.
White with a question mark: The white flag with question mark indicates that a child has been reported to the rescue team that his or her parents have been lost.
White or orange windsock: You may bathe and swim, but the use of floating objects (rubber dinghies, air mattresses, swimming rings) is prohibited due to the risk of drifting. There is a danger that you will drift too far from the coast and will not be able to swim back.