RNLI lifeguards to extend patrols in the south west for the summer holidays

Across Cornwall and Devon, 44 beaches will have lifeguard cover until 7pm each evening from Saturday 23 July until Sunday 4 September. 

With more people enjoying the beaches and water activities later into the evenings, RNLI lifeguards will now to be on hand from 10am-7pm daily to provide assistance and safety advice to beachgoers.

Steve Instance, Senior RNLI Lifeguard Manager, said:

‘As the school holidays approach we are coming into the busiest period of the year on the beaches and our lifeguards will be on hand every day throughout the summer to provide information and safety advice to visitors.

‘Beaches in the south west are extremely busy in the summer with people enjoying the water later and making the most of the light evenings. As a result, this year we have decided to extend our lifeguard patrol hours on selected beaches in Cornwall and Devon until 7pm, allowing people to enjoy the water safely, knowing the lifeguards will be keeping a watch over them for an extra hour.

‘When you’re heading to the coast this summer we urge you to choose a lifeguarded beach during patrol hours where our team can help you on the safest place to swim and surf. It is important to respect the water and be prepared for any activities you are doing. Speak to the lifeguards to find out the local tide times, hazards and conditions on the day.

‘The RNLI lifeguards will go off duty at 7pm each evening. If you’re in the water after this time please take extra care, read the safety signage at the entrance to the beach and check the conditions. If you get into difficulty wave your hands and shout for help, and if you see anybody else in trouble call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.’

RNLI lifeguard are on a total of 77 beaches across Cornwall and Devon over the summer season. Many beaches have had patrols since Easter where RNLI lifeguards have already carried out numerous rescues and assisted many beachgoers.
 
For more information on your nearest lifeguarded beach visit www.RNLI.org.

Notes to editors
Extended lifeguard patrols will be at the following beaches:
Cornwall- Sandymouth, Northcott, Crooklets, Summerleaze, Widemouth, Blackrock, Crackington Haven, Trebarwith Strand, Polzeath, Trevone, Harlyn, Constantine, Treyarnon, Porthcothan, Mawgan Porth, Watergate Bay, Lusty Glaze, Porth, Tolcarne, Great Western, Towan, Fistral, Crantock, Holywell, Perran Sands, Perranporth, St Agnes, Chapel Porth, Porthtowan, Portreath, Gwithian, Upton Towans, Hayle Towans, Porthminster, Porthmeor, Sennen, Praa Sands, Poldhu, Kennack Sands and Gyllyngvase.

Tregonhawke and Tregantle will have extended cover around times of high tide.

Devon- Woolacombe, Croyde, Sandymere and Westward Ho!

The RNLI’s national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, aims to halve accidental coastal deaths by 2024. For more information on the current RNLI Respect The Water Campaign go to www.rnli.org.uk/RespectTheWater

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For further information, please contact either Chlӧe Smith, RNLI Press Officer, on 07920 818807 or email [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on 07786 668847 or email [email protected].

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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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