RNLI lifeguards return to Norfolk and Suffolk beaches this month

The charity’s lifeguards have undergone intensive training over the past few weeks and from this weekend (Saturday 13 May) will be keeping visitors safe at Sheringham West, Cromer East, Mundesley, Gorleston and Sea Palling Beaches in Norfolk.

From Saturday 27 May additional RNLI lifeguards, clad in their distinctive red and yellow uniforms, will be on patrol at Lowestoft South and Southwold North beaches on the Suffolk coast.

By the peak summer season on 8 July, the charity will have lifeguards patrolling a total of seventeen beaches, 10am – 6pm, seven days a week, in the two counties.

‘Over the past few weeks our lifeguards have gone through a rigorous programme of training to ensure we can make our beaches as safe as possible for people visiting the east coast,’ said RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Sam Kendrick.

‘Our lifeguards are highly skilled with world class training and equipment and have been trained in a variety of life-saving techniques, as well as being taught advanced first aid and detailed knowledge of local risks and hazards at each of our beaches.’

‘We want people to enjoy the summer on our beaches in safety and our lifeguards, who are equipped with rescue boards, vehicles and life-saving equipment, will be there to help avoid incidents and ready to respond if people experience difficulties in the water,’ he added.

RNLI lifeguards will also be on hand to offer advice on how to stay safe in the water and letting people know about any particular local dangers in the area.

In 2016, RNLI lifeguards on 227 beaches around the UK dealt with 17,414 incidents and helped 20,538 people. Incidents ranged from slips, trips and stings to more serious water-based rescues. In total they saved 127 lives.

The full details for beaches covered by RNLI lifeguards in Norfolk and Suffolk this summer are as follows:

Norfolk Beaches:

Wells-next-the-Sea 8 July – 10 September

Sheringham West 13 May – 17 September

Sheringham East 8 July – 10 September

West Runton 8 July – 10 September

East Runton 8 July – 10 September

Cromer West 8 July – 10^th September

Cromer East 13 May – 17 September

Mundesley 13 May – 17 September

Sea Palling 13 May – 17 September

Hemsby 8 July – 10 September

Great Yarmouth 8 July – 10 September

Gorleston 13 May – 17 September

Suffolk Beaches:

Lowestoft North 8 July – 10 September

Lowestoft South 27 May – 10 September

Southwold North 27 May – 10 September

Southwold South 8 July – 10 September

Southwold Denes 8 July - 10 September

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

RNLI media contacts

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

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