19 additional beaches across the south west will begin RNLI lifeguard operations
Ahead of the peak summer season, additional beaches across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall will have lifeguard cover from this weekend (Saturday 9 July) until Sunday 4 September, bringing the total number of beaches to over 90 as we move into the height of summer.
Freathy beach in Cornwall will provide lifeguard cover at weekends from Saturday 23 July.
Already operational on over 70 beaches across the South West, RNLI lifeguards patrol daily between the hours of 10am – 6pm. Professionally trained in casualty care, lifesaving techniques in and out of the water and water and land craft operations, the main role of a lifeguard is to prevent incidents occurring and to educate, inform and advise the public about possible dangers, whilst keeping everyone safe and able to enjoy their time at the coast.
The beaches in Dorset that will begin daily lifeguard patrols from 10am – 6pm are;
Lyme Regis (Cobb) and Greenhill (Weymouth).
In Devon; Bigbury-on-Sea, Hope Cove, Slapton Sands (Monument), Blackpool Sands and Teignmouth South.
And the beaches in Cornwall are; Crackington Haven, Northcott, South Fistral, Lusty Glaze, Porthkidney, Carbis Bay, Marazion, Perranuthnoe, Gunwalloe and Porthleven. Polurrian Cove will be weekends only from Saturday (9 July) and Freathy beach will also be weekends only from Saturday 23 July.
Steve Instance, RNLI’s Water Safety Lead for the South West says;
‘With the addition of another 19 RNLI lifeguarded beaches, bringing the total to over 90, it gives people in the South West a wide range of options to always choose a lifeguarded beach. If you’re heading in the water always swim between the red and yellow flags and speak to the local lifeguards for safety advice. The area between the flags is actively patrolled by the lifeguards and is the safest for swimming and body-boarding.
‘On a busy summer day with a lot of people on the beach and in the water at any one time, going between the flags where the lifeguards can see you gives you the best chance of staying safe. It also means if you do get in to trouble, the lifeguards will be able to spot you quickly and come to your aid.’
A full list of RNLI lifeguarded beaches can be found here: rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
Notes to editors
· Please find attached images of RNLI lifeguards on duty, credit RNLI
· Dorset beaches: Lyme Regis (Cobb) and Greenhill
· Devon beaches: Bigbury-on-Sea, Hope Cove, Slapton Sands (Monument), Blackpool Sands and Teignmouth South
· Cornwall beaches: Crackington Haven, Northcott, South Fistral, Lusty Glaze, Porth Kidney, Carbis Bay, Marazion, Perranuthnoe, Gunwalloe, Porthleven. Polurrian Cove (weekends only) Freathy (weekends only from Saturday 23 July)
· 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 Becky Bright, RNLI Media Engagement Placement (South West) on 07929 673281 or [email protected] 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].
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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