Safety reminder as RNLI lifeguards return to Ceredigion beaches

Lifeguards have completed all their training and will start their seasonal service on New Quay and Llangrannog beaches on Saturday (27 May), offering safety advice and assistance to people venturing to the coast.

The two beaches are the first of eight across Ceredigion where lifeguards will be on duty this summer, with patrols on Borth, Clarach, Aberystwyth north and south, Tresaith and Aberporth beaches starting in June and July.

Last year was a busy one for lifeguards in the county. As well as a number of water rescues, the lifeguards also dealt with a high number of first aid incidents and provided safety advice and assistance to thousands of beachgoers

Incidents responded to by RNLI lifeguards in the county in 2016 included the rescue of a woman and two children who were swept out in a rip current in big surf at Llangrannog and a young girl unable to swim who fell off an inflatable out of her depth at Borth.

This year lifeguards will be on duty every day on New Quay and Llangrannog beaches between this Saturday (27 May) and Sunday September 3.

Michael Vincent, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, said: ‘It’s always an exciting time of year when our lifeguards begin their safety service and our team are trained and ready to go.

‘Beaches in the area are beginning to get busier as the summer weather arrives, but we urge people to respect the water and visit a lifeguarded beach, where there are trained professionals to help keep you and your group safe.

‘Even though the weather is warming up, the water temperatures at this time of year remain cold, so anyone thinking of venturing into the water should remember to properly equip themselves and be aware of the dangers of cold water shock.

‘Remember to swim between the red and yellow flags, where our lifeguards are on hand to help, and please do come and talk to one of our team if you have any safety queries.’

The lifeguard service is operated in partnership between the RNLI and Ceredigion County Council. Ann Eleri Jones, Ceredigion County Council Tourism Services Manager said: ‘Ceredigion County Council is very pleased to be working in partnership with the RNLI on its beaches again this year. New Quay and Llangrannog beaches have just been awarded Blue Flag and Seaside Awards and we look forward to a busy but safe season.’

RNLI lifeguards will patrol 38 beaches across Wales in 2017. Last year lifeguards across Wales responded to 1,271 incidents and rescued or assisted 1,436 people.

Notes to editors:

The attached picture shows an RNLI lifeguard on New Quay beach. Credit RNLI

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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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