Investigating beachgoer’s perception of coastal bathing risks in southwest France

Sandy beaches offer numerous health and well-being benefits, but engaging in water-based recreational activities also exposes beachgoers to risks from natural hazards, such as rip currents and waves that break at the shoreline (shore break waves), which can result in fatal drownings and surf zone injuries. A contributing factor to these incidents is that individuals often misunderstand the risks they are exposed to. This study used a unique multidisciplinary database combining beachgoer surveys, marine and weather data and lifeguard hazards assessments to examine beachgoer’s risk perception at a beach located in southwest France. We identified a number of factors that can have potentially contradictory influences on beachgoers’ perceptions. Beachgoers’ perceived risk of rip current and shore break hazards increases with increasing wave height and increasing wave period. Tide level has a significant statistical influence on individuals’ perceived risk of the shore break wave hazard only. Beachgoers familiar with La Lette Blanche beach had higher rip current and shore break risk perceptions although regular recreational beach users (in general) tend to underestimate risks. Similarly, males and younger people express lower perceived risks compared to others. For a large number of environmental conditions, beachgoers perceive rip currents to be a greater risk than shore breaks wave risks although they tend to overestimate beach hazards compared to lifeguards. These results create new avenues for preventive communication, in particular by emphasizing the danger of shore breaks, and the specific nature of the risks on the beaches of south-west France. Some of these safety messages should communicated well before the beachgoers arrive at the beach.