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The black ball, or blackball flag, is a rectangular flag featuring a centered, solid black circle against a yellow background raised on Southern California beaches during summer. The flag waves over the lifeguard tower and prohibits hard fiberglass/polyurethane foam surfboards and skimboards in the waters of that beach.
A blackball is a flag on a lifeguard tower or other highly visible area to show surfers that they must clear the water. A blackball flag is represented with a black circle in the center of a yellow or red flag; a yellow background being the most common.
- The Yellow Flag
- The Red Flag
- The Purple Flag
- The Red Over Yellow Flag
- The Quartered Flag
- The Sun Warning Flag
- The Orange Windsock Flag
Meaning: Medium Hazard Moderate surf and/or currents are present. Weak swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. For others, enhanced care and caution should be exercised.
Meaning: High Hazard Rough conditions, such as strong surf and/or currents, are present. All swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. Those entering the water should take great care.
Meaning: Marine pests present Jellyfish, stingrays, sea snakes, or other marine life are present in the water and can cause minor injuries. This flag is not intended to indicate the presence of sharks. In this latter case, the red flag or double red flag may be hoisted.
Meaning: Recommended swimming area with lifeguard supervision The area is protected by lifeguards. These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront that is most closely supervised or patrolled by qualified lifeguards and where swimming and/or body surfing is permitted. These flags may b...
Meaning: Watercraft area These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront used by those with surfboards and other non-powered watercraft.
Meaning: High level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation High risk of developing melanoma, i.e., skin cancer. Stay out of the sun. Find some shade.
Meaning: Offshore winds present, inflatables should not be used This cone-shaped device is used to indicate the direction of offshore winds and to show that it is unsafe for inflatable objects to be used in the water. You can also find other beach warning signals with different messages for specific beaches and coastal areas: Words by Luís MP | Fou...
In 2018, the Black Ball flag celebrates 200 years in maritime operation. Since 1818, ships have proudly flown the Black Ball flag—displayed as a black “ball” on a red background. Today, the flag is flown on the mast of the MV COHO, serving the run from Port Angeles to Victoria.
Sep 11, 2008 · If you surf at just about any spot in Orange County, you know what blackball is. It’s the yellow flag with a black dot, and it means surfers must leave the water because of too many swimmers...
Each year from May 1st to October 31st between 10:00am- 5 p.m. the Black Ball flag waves, shutting down access to board riders (surf boards, skim boards, surf mats, bodyboards) and unlocking the thrill world famous wave exclusively to bodysurfers.
Aug 30, 2017 · The bright yellow flag with the solid back circle. The signal for surfers to clear the water at many popular urban beaches, the Blackball, has made its despised Matt Warshaw, on the regulatory hand-wringing of the 1960s.
