A near-tragedy at Porth Neigwl (Hell's Mouth) beach in Gwynedd has renewed calls for lifeguard services, after a young girl was rescued from a rip current on Sunday. The incident, which unfolded in 'a matter of seconds', saw beachgoers pull the exhausted swimmer to safety as her head slipped underwater.
The rescuer, a local coastal veteran, criticised the lack of supervision at the beach, contrasting it with the 'relatively risk-free' Abersoch, which has multiple wardens. 'It seems very wrong that on a potentially dangerous day there are any number of wardens on the relatively risk-free Abersoch beach but there is nobody at Porth Neigwl,' he said. 'Today could easily have been another fatality. Putting up a few signs is not good enough.'
Porth Neigwl, known for strong currents and undertows, is popular with surfers but considered dangerous for swimmers. Many locals recalled being forbidden to swim there as children. The rescuer urged that RNLI-trained lifeguards be employed 'as a matter of priority'.
Gwynedd Council currently provides a warden service on Abersoch main beach, which attracts large crowds but is deemed safer. The council stated that decisions on beach management are based on individual risk assessments. An RNLI spokesperson said the charity is 'actively seeking to improve water safety around the Gwynedd coastline' and continues discussions with the local authority.
Beach users have questioned the allocation of resources, with one visitor stating: 'Hells Mouth warrants proper supervision. Two trucks and a jet ski on Abersoch Main Beach is not an appropriate allocation of the resource and should be reassigned urgently.'
