25 beaches in the South West finish RNLI lifeguard patrols for the 2021 season

During the peak summer season, RNLI lifeguards operate on over 90 beaches across the south west region. This gives the public a wide range of choice when planning a visit to the coast to enjoy the warm summer months.

As we move towards autumn, the RNLI use a staggered approach to withdraw the lifeguard service based on a variety of factors including visitor numbers, previous incident statistics and local hazards.

The beaches in Somerset that will finish RNLI lifeguard patrols are:

· Burnham-on-Sea

· Berrow

The beaches in Devon are:

· Sandy Bay

· Dawlish Warren

· Teignmouth North

· Teignmouth South

· Hope Cove

· Blackpool Sands

· Slapton Sands (Monument)

· Bigbury on Sea

The beaches in Cornwall are:

· Northcott

· Crackington Haven

· Lusty Glaze

· South Fistral

· Perranuthnoe

· Marazion

· Carbis Bay

· Porthkidney

· Porthleven

· Gunwalloe

· Polurrian Cove

· Freathy

· Tregantle (weekend only lifeguard service)

The beaches in Dorset are:

· Greenhill

· Lyme Regis (Cobb).

The lifeguards in the south west have had one of the busiest summers ever, with huge visitor numbers descending on the region. The charity have recently launched the RNLI South West Lifeguard Appeal with the aim of raising the vital funds needed to train the lifeguards to carry out their lifesaving work.

Dave Nicoll, Fundraising and Partnership Lead in the south west says,

‘RNLI lifeguards have been working extremely hard throughout spring and summer to deliver a world-class lifeguard service across our region’s coast, allowing thousands of people to enjoy their time at the beach with friends and family.

We are now looking to those people to help us raise the money needed to train our lifeguards in casualty care and lifesaving techniques. So if you were helped by one of our lifeguards this summer, or if you simply want to make a kind donation, please visit our JustGiving page.’

To make a donation to the RNLI’s South West Lifeguard Appeal, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SW-Lifeguard-Appeal-2021

Although a number of beaches will finish operations at the end of the weekend, the majority of RNLI lifeguarded beaches in the region will continue to operate a daily lifeguard service between 10am-6pm. Meaning there is still a wide range of locations to choose from depending on where you are planning to go.

Joel Ninnes, who is part of the regional Water Safety Team says,

‘We always stress the importance of going to a lifeguarded beach when planning a trip to the coast, especially if you are going in the water. This is because our lifeguards are there to inform you of any potential dangers and are always ready to respond in an emergency situation should you need their help. Remember to always swim between the red and yellow flags, where the lifeguards can see you.

Now that we are moving away from summer, beaches across the region will begin to close as part of a planned withdrawal of the lifeguard service, so please check what beaches will have cover by regularly visiting the RNLI website. Some beaches in the south west will be running a lifeguard service until the end of October.’

If you ever see anyone in trouble in the water, alert the lifeguards or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches

Notes to editors

· Please find attached an image of a RNLI lifeguard carrying a red and yellow flag (credit: RNLI)

· To support the RNLI’s south west lifeguard appeal visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SW-Lifeguard-Appeal-2021

· Follow the link to see which beaches are currently lifeguarded https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/beaches-with-lifeguards-on-patrol

· To support the RNLI’s lifesavers, go to: www.rnli.org/donate

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Media Engagement Placement (south west) on [email protected] or 07902 975993, or Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager on 07920 818807 or [email protected]. Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 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.