ARCHIVED - Benidorm introduces beach flags for the colour blind

The new flags on the Costa Blanca's resort's popular coastline will incorporate the international recognised Colour ADD method

Traditional beach flags which indicate the state of the sea and whether or not it's safe to swim are being replaced by inclusive alternatives for colour blind beachgoers in Benidorm.

The summer season saw a tragic number of drownings and near drownings on the Costa Blanca, and whilst the new flags will make safe bathing accessible to everyone, they could also potentially save more lives.

The new alternatives, the first of which was hoisted by Mayor Toni Perez on the resort's Mal Pal beach on Monday October 24, incorporate the internationally recognised ColorADD method – a sign code made up of geometric shapes representing colours and colour combinations. 

Created at the University of Minho in Porto, Portugal, the ColorADD code was first applied internationally in 2010 and has multiple applications, such as education, health, transport, labelling and accessibility, as evidenced in the nearby coastal towns Calpe and Denia.

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In this case, a diagonal bar with a triangle pointing to the right represents green; a central diagonal bar indicates yellow; and a triangle to the left, the danger red. 

During Monday's launch, Perez said: "These flags are a further commitment to inclusion and accessibility on Benidorm's beaches. I believe it is necessary to raise awareness for people who suffer from color blindness, which prevents them from differentiating colours, such as those that warn of the state of the sea, and danger.

"Benidorm offers one of the best, if not the best, lifeguard service on its beaches, operational throughout the year, even in winter," he added.

In addition to the lifeguard service and new flags, Levante and Poniente beaches are also accessible to people with reduced mobility, boast blue flags, 'Q' for Tourism Quality, Qualitur, and are Safe Tourism Certified.

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Image: Ayuntamiento de Benidorm