RNLI Hit the Surf continues its tour of Wales

This week the team have travelled to Aberavon and Newport, Pembrokeshire as they welcome kids from across the counties to Hit the Surf.

In 2015 over 2,900 pupils joined the RNLI lifeguards for a day on the beach – learning vital safety skills ahead of the summer holidays.  Over 700 kids from 30 Welsh primary schools took part in Hit the Surf at Aberavon beach last year as well as over 300 school pupils on Newport Sands.

Gareth King, RNLI Lifeguard Community Engagement Supervisor said:

‘Once again this year the RNLI team have had a fantastic welcome from all the schools as they travel across the coast.  We have amazing beaches here in Wales and it’s important that kids know how to respect the water when visiting the coast.  The sea is powerful and unpredictable, but with the right skills and knowledge the beach is a brilliant day out for all the family’

Hit the Surf sessions cover the meaning of beach flags, the dangers of rip currents and what to do if caught in one; the dangers of tombstoning and the importance of swimming between the red and yellow flags.

Since the end of May the charity’s lifeguards have already delivered Hit the Surf sessions at Tenby, Whitesands and Whitmore Bay.  Over the next two weeks the team will continue the sessions at Aberavon as well as travel to Poppit Sands and New Quay to teach more kids how to stay safe on the beach this summer.

For more tips on how to stay safe on the coast this summer visit the RNLI website www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety or download the charity’s beach safety mobile app.

RNLI media contact
For more information contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Press Officer on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or email [email protected].

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.

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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.