
RNLI lifeguards in Newquay perform more than 100 rescues and save three lives
It was a busy weekend for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards in Newquay after challenging conditions saw them attend to more than 100 rescues, saving three lives.
Watergate Bay was the busiest beach in the area, with lifeguards performing over 50 rescues across the weekend, and saving three lives on Friday, after the trio had been swept out to sea by the rough conditions.
RNLI lifeguards at Porth beach and Fistral beach were also called into action nearly 50 times, including two major first aid incidents.
The weekend was the busiest of the summer for the lifeguards so far, and Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Newquay Lewis Timson commended his team for all their hard work.
He said: ‘The weekend saw lots of lifeguard activity in the area, and I’d like to thank all our team for their hard work, ensuring that people visiting the coast were kept safe.
Their work is testament to the training the lifeguards undergo before and during the season which allows us to provide the first-class lifesaving service that we do. We would also like to thank all our search and rescue colleagues who work alongside us all weekend to keep Newquay safe.’
RNLI lifeguards are running patrols daily from 10am to 6pm and the RNLI recommends that if you are going to the coast to head to a lifeguarded beach between these hours, swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags and if you do get into trouble in the water, remember to Float to Live: Tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally. You can gently move your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to. Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability – and it's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
Notes to editors
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Photos show Watergate Bay at the weekend credit RNLI
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.