Free water safety sessions come to Millendreath beach this August
Swim England and the RNLI’s Swim Safe programme will be holding public sessions on Millendreath beach for the first time this August, giving children aged 7-14 the opportunity to learn vital water safety skills for free.
The fun, hour-long sessions teach young people how to swim safely outdoors and what to do if they, or someone else, get into difficulty in the water. The Swim Safe programme launched in a single site in 2013 and has since expanded to more than 30 sites across the country. Swim England and the RNLI have partnered with Swim4 to bring the Swim Safe programme to Millendreath beach, near Looe, where sessions will be running on 2-4 August.
To take part, children must be aged between 7 and 14 and able to swim 25 metres unaided. Booking is essential, and parents and carers can book their child’s free place now at: https://swimsafe.org.uk/locations/looe,-millendreath-beach.
The sessions are run by qualified swimming instructors and lifeguards, supported by a team of volunteers and give children:
· Up to 30 minutes of practical, in-water tuition led by qualified instructors
· Essential open water safety advice
· A free Swim Safe goody bag take home
All the kit needed to take part, including wetsuits, swim hats and flotation equipment, is provided for each child during the sessions. Children only need to bring their swim suit and a towel.
Tamsyn Alderton from Swim4 says:
‘Children love swimming outdoors, but it’s a very different environment to swimming in a pool, where most children learn to swim.
‘It’s essential that children learn about open water safety so that they understand where it is safe to swim, and how to react if they find themselves getting into difficulty in the water.
‘We want all children to have access to this training, so all Swim Safe sessions are funded by the RNLI and Swim England partnership, making them completely free of charge for the public.’
Rob Stuteley, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for South East Cornwall adds:
‘These sessions are really useful for helping to prepare children for safe swimming in open water. We aim to build their confidence, whilst also ensuring they respect the water and understand the challenges it can bring. Knowing how to keep safe helps young people enjoy swimming in open water and teaches them potentially lifesaving skills.’
The programme aims to support the UK Drowning Prevention Strategy’s aim of reducing accidental drowning by 50 per cent by 2026, to which Swim England and the RNLI are committed as members of the National Water Safety Forum.
For more information about Swim Safe, visit swimsafe.org.ukNotes to editors
Media are welcome to attend the sessions. Please get in touch on the numbers/email below to confirm.
RNLI media contacts
For more information Marianne Quinn, RNLI Media Engagement Placement, on [email protected] or 01752 854457 or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on [email protected] or 07786 668847. Alternatively contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
About Swim Safe
Swim Safe was created by Swim England and the RNLI in 2013 to help children aged 7–14 stay safe while enjoying swimming outdoors.
From with a single scheme in Cornwall, Swim Safe has grown into a national programme spanning the UK. More than 20,000 children took part in a Swim Safe session across 29 locations in 2018.
This summer, Swim Safe is coming to 36 beach and inland water locations across England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It is being delivered in partnership with Swim Wales and a range of local delivery partners.
Find out more at swimsafe.org.uk
About Swim England
Swim England’s vision is of a nation swimming and it strives to inspire everyone to enjoy the water in the way that suits them. Each month millions of people are able to enjoy swimming, diving, water polo and synchronised swimming, having been through the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme.
Swim England also supports its members, clubs and athletes, and runs qualification and education programmes to develop the workforce. For more information, visit swimming.org/swimengland
About the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the charity saves lives at sea. RNLI volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations. The charity’s seasonal lifeguards keep people safe throughout the summer on over 240 beaches, and dedicated flood rescue teams are ready to help those affected by flooding.
The RNLI is a charity and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its lifesaving services.
RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives since 1824. But as well as rescuing people, the RNLI saves lives by influencing, supervising and educating people too. The Charity works internationally with like-minded organisations to help tackle drowning around the world.
For more information, visit rnli.org.uk.
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.