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Bookings Now Open as Swim Safe Returns to Plymouth

Lifeboats News Release

Bookings are now open for Swim Safe, the FREE programme of outdoor swimming and water safety sessions for children, which will be returning to Plymouth this summer with a selection of new public sessions.

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Public Swim Safe sessions will take place between 29 July–26 August at Tinside Lido, with sessions especially for school children taking place between 20 June–1 July at Tinside Lido and 4 July–8 July at Mountwise Lido.
 
The return of Swim Safe to Plymouth follows a successful pilot at Tinside Lido last year which taught almost 700 children how to stay safe in or near open water. Practical, interactive, educational and fun, each session includes a land-based safety lesson with a lifeguard and in-water tuition with a swimming teacher. Wetsuits, swimming hats and a free goody bag with t-shirt are all provided.  
 
Delivered in partnership between the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) and the RNLI charity (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), Swim Safe is perfect for families living in or visiting Plymouth this summer holiday.
 
Last year RNLI lifeguards aided 11,297 people on beaches in South Devon, saving 11 lives. While most of the incidents were minor, it’s important to remember that being in and around the sea is a very different environment to that of an indoor swimming pool.
Jess Hogben, Swim Safe Coordinator for the programme in Plymouth said: ‘There are all sorts of environmental factors to consider when you’re swimming outdoors, and it’s important that children know how to call for help if they get into trouble.
‘We’re really looking forward to running a larger programme in Plymouth this year. We’ve got enough spaces for a total of 2,000 young people to come and learn some really important life skills.’
Swim Safe is a growing programme which is also taking place at several other locations across England and Wales this summer including Bude, the Isle of Man, Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre, Barry Island, Penzance, Poole, Scarborough, Jersey, the Isles of Scilly, the Lake District and South Shields.
 
Parents can book their children onto a Swim Safe session in advance at www.swimming.org/SwimSafe or simply come along on the day.

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.

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Joanna Dey

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