RNLI Lifeguards in Scotland to extend Water Smart education programme

The vital work of RNLI lifeguards begins well before the summer beach season. At the start of March, lifeguards in Scotland began taking their Water Smart Education programme into primary schools, helping young people build water safety skills ahead of the warmer months.

The Water Smart sessions equip participants with key water safety knowledge to help keep them safe in and around the water. The free sessions, led by RNLI lifeguards, teach young people lifesaving skills such as how to Float to Live, what to do if they see someone in trouble, the role of lifeguards, and introduce the wider work of the RNLI. These engaging, fun and informative sessions are designed for ages 7-11.

In 2025, the programme reached around 21,000 primary school students across 115 schools, predominantly in areas close to RNLI lifeguarded beaches such as Fife, Dundee, Edinburgh and the Lothians. Due to past success and impact, the team are extending their reach beyond primary schools into youth groups and the wider community.

Lifeguard Supervisor Kelly Bowler says: ‘The main role of a lifeguard is preventative work. Teaching water safety to people at a young age makes a huge difference. It keeps children safer, reduces the situations us lifeguards later respond to, and helps key safety messages spread to the young people’s families and into the community.

‘We’ve seen directly how much these sessions benefit primary school children, and we’re excited to bring that same lifesaving knowledge to more young people and communities.’

Water Safety Education Manager Ray Cunningham says: ‘With this year being the 25th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards on UK beaches, it feels like the right time to grow the programme and make more people aware of this important part of our work. We encourage any interested organisation to get in touch to arrange a lifesaving session.’

Delivery of the Water Smart sessions will go on until 18th June. The lifeguard team are particularly keen to hear from organisations and groups based in the East of Scotland. To request a session or for more information, please contact -[email protected].

Notes to editors

- RNLI lifeguards have been keeping our beaches safer since 2001.

- RNLI lifeguards have saved more than 2,000 lives – and given help to thousands more.

- RNLI lifeguards can be found on 8 Scottish beaches throughout the summer season - Coldingham Bay, Silver Sands (Aberdour), Burntisland, Leven, Elie, St Andrews East Sands, St Andrews West Sands and Broughty Ferry.

- Visit rnli.org.uk/lifeguardbeach to find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach.

RNLI media contacts

Suzanne O’Brien, RNLI Regional Communications Placement for Scotland, 07483 494407, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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