
RNLI lifeguards return for summer season this weekend after a busy Easter
A combination of perfect weather and waves, in addition to some big storms over the Easter holidays (1 to 16 April), kept RNLI lifeguards busy across the region and this weekend (29 April), patrols are returning to more beaches across the south west.
With large numbers of people expected to head to the region’s coastlines this May bank holiday weekend (29 April to 1 May), the RNLI is urging people to choose a lifeguarded beach.
Over the Easter period, numerous rescues, casualty care and preventative actions were all carried out.Four individuals were rescued in South Devon at Bantham Beach after getting into difficulty in a rip current, whilst RNLI lifeguards in Cornwall came to the rescue of two young people at Sennen beach. This included a 23 year old female swimmer who was struggling swimming against a rip current and was paddled safely to shore by an RNLI lifeguard on a rescue board. The Rescue Water Craft (RWC) was then called into action to save a teenage surfer that was also caught in a rip current.
RNLI lifeguards in North Devon undertook preventative work, gave out safety advice and dealt with multiple rescues over Easter, due to the surf and good weather making the beaches relatively busy for the time of year. Two standout rescues were performed in Croyde by a lifeguard who returned swimmers to safety on a rescue board through the heavy shore break at low tide.
On the same day, two teenage boys were caught out by a rip current in the northern corner of Croyde beach where an RNLI lifeguard swam out to the casualties with a rescue tube and safely returned the pair to the shoreline.
Matt Whitley, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for North Devon, says that rip currents are a major cause of accidental drowning on our beaches;
‘Rips can often be difficult to spot but can sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water on the sea's surface. The best way to avoid rips is to choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which have been marked based on where is safer to swim in the current conditions.
‘Even the most experienced beachgoers can be caught out by rips, so don’t be afraid to ask our lifeguards for advice. If you do find yourself caught in a rip, don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted. If possible stand or wade but don’t swim. Always raise your hand and shout for help and if you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore.’
In Jersey, RNLI lifeguards at St Ouens Bay attended two rescues and remained busy throughout the two week holiday, with one of the weekends requiring the lifeguards to continue out of hour patrols until 7pm, due to spring tides and large swell.
In addition to Fistral, Porthmeor and Sennen Cove beaches which have full time patrols, from Saturday 29 April through to October 29, RNLI lifeguards will return to the following beaches for full time daily patrols from Saturday for the 2023 season:
Gwithian, Hayle, Constantine, Treyarnon, Harlyn, Polzeath, Widemouth, Summerleaze, Porthtowan, Mawgan Porth, Watergate Bay, Towan, Praa Sands, Sharrow, Tregonhawke, Bantham, Sedgewell Cove, West Bay, Weymouth, Croyde, Woolacombe, St. Ouen’s (Jersey) and Le Braye (Jersey).
Remaining beaches will begin patrols from Saturday 13 May or for the peak season from Saturday 1 July. Please check the RNLI website for dates for specific beaches.
With the May bank holiday weekend approaching, and with the potential of good weather, the charity is urging everybody to follow the beach safety advice:
· Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags
· Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks
· Keep a close eye on your family – on the beach and in the water – don’t allow your family to swim alone
· If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float
· In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard
Notes to editors
Please see attached a photo of RNLI lifeguarded beach and IRB lifeguard training. Credit Bosco Mcauley and Charlie Gillett.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Emily Bray, RNLI Media Engagement Placement (South West) on 07929 673281 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847 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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.