THE unpredictable nature of the sea and the importance of staying safe on the sands and in the water at the town's award-winning beaches have been reiterated this week.

THE unpredictable nature of the sea and the importance of staying safe on the sands and in the water at the town's award-winning beaches have been reiterated this week.

Calling on people to follow important advice to keep safe at sea, a key campaign continues to attract attention.

And as The Journal and Waveney District Council team up to help people Stay Safe This Summer, the safety message this week is for locals and visitors to the beach to be wary of waves.

Each week reminders will go out to users of Lowestoft and Southwold's beaches as people are alerted to some of the key points of the campaign.

This week's message is from Waveney District Council's beach lifeguard, Matt Thomas.

'Although it can look fun, never think it is safe to wave dodge, which is when people dive under and/or over waves,' he said.

'The sea is very unpredictable and you can never tell what it is going to do next. It can be very strong, and what looks like fun could end in tragedy with large waves taking you out to sea. Spilling waves are the safest to swim in, they appear when the top of the wave breaks and tumbles down the front. Dumping waves break with great force in shallow water and usually occur during low tide.

'They are very dangerous waves so please avoid the sea when you see them,' he said.

Continuing the call to people to remember to be beach safe the advice is:

Ask a lifeguard - they are there to help.

Do not swim or play near groynes and piers.

If you get into trouble in the water, raise your hand in the air and shout for help.

Keep sight of young children at all times.