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End of busy summer season for RNLI lifeguards across most of Thanet and Swale
As the summer draws to a close and schools return, the RNLI lifeguard season is coming to an end on most beaches across Thanet and Swale this Sunday 6 September. The RNLI is urging beachgoers to listen to vital water safety advice if they plan to visit the coast during offseason.
RNLI lifeguards in Thanet are reflecting on a busy and exceptionally warm season, during which they helped keep hundreds of thousands of beachgoers safe through preventative measures, rescues, delivery of first aid and casualty care. RNLI lifeguards also reunited lost children with their families, delivered water safety sessions in schools and helped to save lives at sea.
RNLI lifeguards will finish their service on the majority of Thanet and Swale beaches on Sunday 6 September, before returning next year.
The RNLI lifeguard service will continue at Broadstairs Viking Bay and Margate Main beaches until the 27 September. Lifeguards will patrol these beaches daily until the 12 September, before moving to weekend-only patrols from the 12 to the 27 September.
The RNLI is encouraging beachgoers to choose lifeguarded beaches wherever possible. If you plan to visit the coast outside of the lifeguard season, follow water safety advice and remember the RNLI’s Float to Live guidance:
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to…
· Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
· Try to relax and control your breathing
· Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
· Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, call for help or swim to safety
Beth Williams, RNLI Lifeguard Lead Supervisor for Thanet, said: ‘This year was the 25th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards on beaches, and what a year it has been! It has been one of the hottest and busiest we have seen in a while, but the lifeguards in Thanet and Swale took it in their stride. Despite the business starting way before peak season, the lifeguards, and supervisor team, have shown great resilience and team work to overcome all of the challenges they faced.
‘We couldn’t of asked for a better team on the beaches this year. From giving out plasters to completing mass rescues and major incidents, every single lifeguard has put in untold amounts of effort to keep the public safe on the beaches this year, and we couldn’t be prouder. Massive thank you to all the other agencies that we work with too. Lifeboat crew, police, paramedics, coastguard, fire service and beach security, we have all worked together this season and got some great outcomes.
‘We are looking forward to the 2027 season and expecting it to be just as busy. As the season draws to an end, the only beaches left open will be Margate main sands and Viking bay on the weekends throughout September. Please remember if you are going to the beach, go to a lifeguarded one where possible, take a friend, Float to Live and if you do get into difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
‘See you all next year!’
If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw:
- Phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard to get help.
- Tell the struggling person to Float to Live.
- Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.
During the off-season, RNLI lifeboat stations remain a 24-hour search and rescue service operation from 238 stations around the UK and Ireland.
-Ends-
Notes to editor:
To learn more about RNLI lifeguarded beaches visit: RNLI Lifeguards In The UK And Channel Islands
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Kate Barkley, RNLI Communications Staff Member for RNLI, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.