Friend never went swimming in the UK on fam hols

Feel blessed to have been brought up in the CIs a stones throw from just one of the very accessible beautiful beaches. Was never out off the beach growing up. Now some continue to go year round but I don’t like the cold water so wait until it’s very warm usually late summer early evening high tide.

I never swam and in fact I can't swim. I did used to go wading abd rockpooling.

Never went swimming in the sea in the UK during childhood seaside days out in New Brighton and Blackpool. Did however have wonderful memorable family days out at the New Brighton Lido (New Brighton Baths as we called it!).
Baths were so great I think that was the reason we never bothered with the sea which I remember as being a bit muddy.
Also I wasn't keen on seaweed and the various large , harmless but horrible-looking jellyfish that scattered the beach.

when I was young my parents took me to the beach...14 miles away, picnics swiming sunbathing, when I had children of my own, we did the same,great times...

Daddy did not swim, Mummy was a proficient swimmer but found the so-called summer weather of the west of Scotland far too cold to stay in the water long enough to teach us to swim.

She took us once to the public baths, but was so disgusted by the fact that you were allowed to swim without showering first, that she refused to takes us again, or allow us to take swimming lessons at school.

So no, no swimming on family holidays.

Never went swimming on holiday as holidays were non existent only going to stay with an aunt 40 mikes away for a few days. I did go to the seaside where I lived as a child but only with friends and when an older brother (15 years older) was also on the beach. Played at swimming, eventually learning with lessons when an adult.

I was brought up in Cornwall and loved to swim, cold water and all! The North Coast beaches were our favourite, Perranporth especially, and those breakers were exciting although you didn’t get much actual swimming done as they often knocked you off your feet! Some of the South Coast beaches were kinder but not nearly so exhilarating.

I learnt to swim on a school holiday in the sea.
Still love to swim in the sea. I have also been swimming in lakes, rivers as well as the sea in various places around the world.

Paddling yes, swimming no, not in the sea, but definitely in a chlorinated pool.

Amalegra

I was brought up in Cornwall and loved to swim, cold water and all! The North Coast beaches were our favourite, Perranporth especially, and those breakers were exciting although you didn’t get much actual swimming done as they often knocked you off your feet! Some of the South Coast beaches were kinder but not nearly so exhilarating.

Oh always spent all day in the water when we were on our hols, in Cornwall.

The waves were fabulous - they'd knock you clean off your feet and drag you under the foam.

Very exciting, trying not to drown.

I used to love sea swimming when we occasionally went on holiday. Later as an adult I got caught in a current in Dorset which petrified me. I am a reasonable swimmer, but found it difficult to escape the current.

Nowadays I swim regularly in the local swimming baths, but I guess that’s not the same! Good for me though!

My grandchildren swim in the sea in Dorset regularly, however in the winter they wear wetsuits.

Miss Adventure and Amalegra,
I posted earlier re NOT swimming in the sea in New Brighton and Blackpool in my childhood.
Just identifying with the wave issues.
I've never swum off Cornwall but I swim in the sea in Biarritz in France , near where I am now and I can identify totally with being knocked clean off my feet.
A 71 year old woman crawling out of the sea on her hands and knees because the waves won't allow her to stand is NEVER a good look.........

Like Monica & CurtainT I was spoilt by lovely, warmer, seas.
We also had great outdoor swimming pools. Does the USRC mean anything to you Monica?
The only sea I’ve braved in the U.K. was when I walked across Morcambe Bay.

My sister, brother and I were raised in Broadstairs and spent all our time on the beach. However we never learnt to swim until we moved to London! Looking back it makes no sense!

I saw this picture and thought, "Actually, who does go to the beach to swim, especially 50 years ago?" I think more families at least strip off now!

I live by the sea now but have always lacked enthusiasm for anything other than paddling. I like my water warm. Cold water is for marine life.

Yes, PamelaJ, they do, I learned to swim there. There was a whole series of these clubs in different places, the Singapore Swimming Club and, in Kuala Lumpur, The Selangor Golf Club. Neither of my parents ever played golf but it had a wonderful swimming pool.

Joseann After studying your picture and how most people in it are well wrapped, I would suggest it is a traditional day on the beach in the UK, when it was just too darn cold to shed any layers and preferably one needs to add an extra layer.

Joseann

I saw this picture and thought, "Actually, who does go to the beach to swim, especially 50 years ago?" I think more families at least strip off now!

Where is it?

And why are they faced away from the sea?

😁

It's Southend 🙂

You can't beat a day at Saarfend!

That would have been my dad at the beach, Joseann. If it was really hot, he might take his shoes off. He didn’t come to the beach often, didn’t like it. Mum would be in her swimsuit, though.

😁 😁
I don't know where the photo was taken, but the handbags and holdall also made me smile. Not a towel in sight. Maybe they were all on a day out?!

Passengers from a Mystery Destination Coach Tour.

No one mentioned that the mystery might end up beside the sea, so no one thought to bring suitable apparel for an afternoon on the beach.