Thanks
to Paul for this report on Porthleven Sands
The beach is actually just short of 3 miles and is a sand
and shingle mix. The east end at Gunwalloe Fishing Cove has
eroded in recent years due to sand movement and taking of
shingle for building blocks. What's left is ending up on the
Loe Bar and this is slowly growing. I confess never to have
swam at Gunwalloe and have been told that it is dangerous
there, but you may find a local to argue this. We do though
never swim directly off the bar and as a good rule of thumb
swim between the confines of the sea wall which stretches
a 1/4 mile from "Sand Hill" near the pier a to a
little way after "Blue Buoy" steps. These are also
the main access points to the beach. It does shelve steeply
compared to sandy beaches and we call this the "ditch"
or "truck" but once you know about this, it is fine.
As the beach is so wide we do not get the currents or rips
as in the coves like Gunwalloe Church Cove or Poldhu Cove
where the water is squeezed in. But If there is a ground sea
running, then there can be a heavy shore break which is off
putting and can be dangerous and not safe to enter. But these
conditions can effect all beaches. Because the beach shelves
steeply it does not get the rolling waves surf waves but this
shore break. So it is no good as a beach break for surfing/body
boarding. What does make it good for swimming is that one
only a few metres off shore and swimming and within close
reach of any person on the beach. Without wading out a long
way for a swim.
Finally
the local Kerrier Council are operating Life guard service
during the school holiday period which commenced last year
and will do again this year. Their hut is based at Blue
Buoy Steps. The also operate a red flag system if it is
dangerous to swim. This stays up during the winter and is
supposedly raised and lowered dependant upon conditions
during early and late summer, but it is erratic and we all
rely on our own knowledge (30+ years swimming on the beach
in my case). Facilities here are nil, except for a toilet
by the pier. Food and drink to come from the village.
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