With the weather forecast suggesting a sunny weekend ahead (8 and 9 September) the RNLI have confirmed that the charity’s lifeguards will be patrolling on 67 beaches across the south west and the Channel Islands on Saturday and Sunday.
With sunshine and surf on the menu, the message to those heading for the coast is to try and visit a lifeguarded beach where the RNLI teams can watch over you.
The beaches covered by RNLI lifeguards include 11 in the Dorset area, 7 in Devon, 42 in Cornwall and 3 in the Channel Islands*.
Steve Instance, RNLI Lifeguard Inspector for the south west, says he hopes those grabbing the rare opportunity to visit the seaside in the sunshine, will head for a beach where a lifeguard team are on duty;
‘Our lifeguards are there to keep people safe, offering useful advice to help prevent accidents and a rapid reaction if something does go wrong. The red and yellow flags indicate lifeguards on duty and highlight the safe bathing areas so you can rest assured you are being watched over while you enjoy late summer conditions.
‘To find out more you can visit the RNLI website, or download our new Beach Finder app, available free on Android and Apple devices, which also enables you to check real-time weather information, water quality and view lifeguard season dates, patrol times and safety warnings. Our teams will be on duty from 10am in the morning until 6pm in the evening on both Saturday and Sunday and will be delighted to see you.’
*The RNLI lifeguarded beaches include;
In Dorset - Southborne, Fishermans Walk, Boscombe West, Bournemouth East, Bournemouth West, Durley Chine and Alum Chine in the Bournemouth area – Branksome Chine, Shore Road and Sandbanks in the Poole area – and Weymouth main beach.
In Devon - Bantham, Sedgewell Cove and Challaborough in the South Hams and Croyde, Woolacombe, Westward Ho! and Sandymere in North Devon.
In Cornwall - Tregonhawke, Sharrow and Tregantle in South-East Cornwall.
Portreath, Poldhu Cove and Praa Sands in the Kerrier area.
Godrevy, Gwithian, Upton Towans, Beach View, Mexico Towans, Hayle Towans, Porthminster, Porthmeor, Gwenver, Sennen and Porthcurnow in Penwith.
Gyllyngvase in Falmouth.
Porthtowan, Chapel Porth, St Agnes, Perranporth, Perran Sands and Holywell Bay in the Carrick area.
Crantock, North Fistral, Towan, Great Western, Tolcarne, Porth, Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth in the Newquay area.
Porthcothan, Treyarnon, Constantine, Booby’s, Harlyn, Trevone, Polzeath and Trebarwith, Black Rock, Widemouth, Summerleaze, Crooklets and Sandymouth in North Cornwall.
In the Channel Islands - St Ouen’s Bay, Plemont, St Brelade’s Bay and Greve de Lecq on Jersey.
Notes to editors
• Please find attached two library pictures – one is of an RNLI lifeguard on a Rescue Water Craft (Jet Ski) and should credited to RNLI/Nathan Williams, the other is of an RNLI lifeguard and should be credited RNLI/Nigel Millard.
• The RNLI Beach Finder app can be downloaded from here - : http://rnli.org/safetyandeducation/stayingsafe/beach-safety/Pages/Beach-finder-app.aspx
And you can search for lifeguarded beaches by visiting the RNLI website here - http://rnli.org/aboutus/lifeguardsandbeaches/Pages/Lifeguarded-beaches.aspx
RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager for the south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk or Emma Haines, RNLI Press Officer on 07920 818 807 or email emma_haines@rnli.org.uk