We’re all familiar with the beach’s flag signals: the bright green indicating safe and calm waters, the fiery red warning of dangerous currents, and even the cheery yellow advising caution. Each color has a story to tell, which is useful knowledge for beachgoers like myself who enjoy swimming in the big blue ocean. But what on earth does purple represent? Prepare to be astonished, as I was, because it’s not your typical flag.

Imagine this: it’s a beautiful day at the beach, and you’re standing on the shoreline, ready to dive into the surf. The waves are smooth, the sun is shining, and everything seems to be in balance. Your gaze sweeps across the familiar flags, assessing the ocean’s condition. Green indicates little hazard and calm conditions. Check. Yellow indicates a moderate hazard level; proceed with caution. Got it. Red indicates a significant hazard and choppy waves ahead. No problem, I’m a seasoned beachgoer who knows my limits. But wait, there it is: the purple flag, fluttering in the air like a mystery waiting to be solved.

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