Peak season is coming to an end at RNLI lifeguarded beaches in the south west
As peak season patrols on some lifeguarded beaches will be coming to an end in early September, the RNLI is encouraging those heading to the coast to make sure that the beach they plan on visiting is lifeguarded.
After a busy summer preventing and responding to incidents along the south west coastline, the RNLI lifeguard peak season will be ending soon, with patrols on some beaches coming to a close on Sunday 1 September or Tuesday 3 September.
There will still be lifeguards on patrol at the majority of beaches around the region until the end of September.
Patrols will finish on Sunday 1 September at the following beaches:
In Devon - Sandy Bay, Exmouth, Dawlish Warren, Teignmouth Hope Cove, Blackpool Sands, Slapton Sands, Thurlestone, and Bigbury on Sea North. In Cornwall – Freathy; and in Dorset - West Bay and Lyme Regis.
Tuesday 3 September will be the last day of lifeguard patrols at the following beaches:
Greenhill (Weymouth), Northcott, Crackington Haven, Porthkidney, Carbis Bay, Porthcurno, Marazion, Crantock River, Lusty Glaze, Polurrian Cove, Gunwalloe, and Porthleven.
From Monday 9 September, Burnham-on-Sea and Berrow beaches will also no longer be lifeguarded.
Steve Instance, RNLI Community Safety Partner, said:
‘We normally see a change in weather conditions during September, with Atlantic swells making conditions more challenging. We’re still expecting people to be enjoying the coast, especially if we have more good weather, so it’s important people make sure the beach they’re visiting is lifeguarded.
‘If you are planning on swimming at a lifeguarded beach, you should stay between the red and yellow flags as this is the safest area and is most closely monitored by lifeguards.’
To find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach and check its season dates, please visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
Notes to editors
- Please see attached a photo of RNLI lifeguards on duty at Fistral beach in Newquay.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Marianne Quinn, RNLI Media Engagement Placement at [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847 or [email protected].
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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.