Tombstoning: the Cornwall seaside danger under the surface

It looks like the simplest kind of summer fun. A scramble up a rock or a harbour wall, a run-up, a leap, and a splash into the sea below. Devon & Cornwall Police are asking parents to think hard about what that water might be hiding.

What is tombstoning?

Tombstoning is the name given to jumping from a height into water, usually feet-first in a straight, upright position. It draws people to the Cornish coast in warm weather, to cliffs, quarries, quays and harbour walls. From the top it can look harmless enough. A drop, a bit of a thrill, and a climb back up to do it all again.

The danger you cannot see

What many of those jumping do not realise is how much they cannot see from above. Tides shift, so a depth that looked safe an hour ago may have dropped away. Depths change from one spot to the next. Rocks, ledges and other hazards can sit just below the surface, out of sight until it is too late. As the force puts it, what seems fun can turn into a tragedy in seconds.

What parents can do

The warning is aimed squarely at parents. Do you know where your children are today? They may be doing exactly this. The advice is to talk to them about the risks and to keep them away from what the force describes as anti-social and dangerous behaviour. Anyone who sees it happening can report anti-social behaviour to Devon & Cornwall Police.

Tides can shift, depths can change, and the hazards beneath the surface cannot always be seen.