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RNLI remind beach goers to choose a lifeguarded beach as peak season ends

Lifeguards News Release

Sunday, (1 September) marks the end of peak season for RNLI lifeguards in the south west. The end of peak season will see a reduced lifeguard service with certain beaches no longer having lifeguard patrols in 2024.

Peter Hicks

RNLI Lifeguard Somer Juster-Horsfield in the water

With September set to get off to a warm start, the charity’s lifeguards are reminding people to choose one of the remaining 68 lifeguarded beaches if they are visiting the coast.

List of beaches finishing lifeguard patrols on Sunday 1 September:

Cornwall: Northcott, Crackington Haven, Marazion, Carbis Bay, Mexico Towans, Porthkidney, Lusty Glaze, Porthleven, Gunwalloe, Freathy, Polurrian Cove

Devon: Bigbury-On-Sea, Slapton Sands, Blackpool Sands, Hope Cove, Teignmouth, Dawlish Warren, Sandy Bay

Dorset: West Bay, Lyme Regis (Cobb), Greenhill

Somerset: Burnham-On-Sea, Brean

Guy Botterill, Regional Lifeguard Lead for the south west said:

‘ Whilst the charity’s lifeguards will not be on as many beaches over the next couple of weeks, we are expecting good weather and so I would like to remind people that if you are planning on going to the coast to do so at a lifeguarded beach, swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags and if you do get into trouble remember to float to live, lie flat on your back with your ears submerged.

‘Each year, the RNLI provide a lifeguard service on behalf of the Local Authority or private beach owner, in peak season, RNLI lifeguards patrol nearly 90 beaches across the south west. We’d like to thank our partners for allowing us to provide the service and help continue to keep people safe when they head to the coast. ‘

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach click here: Lifeguarded Beaches - Find Your Nearest Lifeguarded Beach (rnli.org)

The summer period has been busy for RNLI lifeguards, and they have been called into action on numerous occasions including at Harlyn Bay on Monday (26 August).

RNLI lifeguards at Harlyn Bay noticed that two members of the public were on SUP’s(Stand Up Paddleboards) towards the edge of the surf zone and looking a little bit uncomfortable.

Senior RNLI lifeguard, Steven Ducker sent Evan Triscovic and Somer Juster-Horsfield out on rescue boards to assist the paddleboarders who had now been blown around the cliff towards an area known as Little Harlyn.

The conditions were rough, with big surf and rip currents pulling the paddleboarders dangerously close to the rocks, at this point lifeguards launched the IRB(Inshore Rescue Boat) to further assist the casualties.

Lifeguard Somer assisted one of the paddleboarders with her rescue board before passing them on to the lifeguards in the IRB who returned them to shore whilst Evan was able to assist the other casualty by paddling them out of danger and back to the safety of the beach.

Lifeguards then carried out casualty care checks before releasing them once they had established they were ok.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for Padstow Leon Bennett said:

‘Our lifeguards did a great job to react quickly to rescue two paddleboarders who had got into difficulty at Harlyn Bay.

‘The incident is a reminder to people of the risks that come with paddleboarding around our coastline and we would like to remind people if you are going to go paddleboarding to wear a buoyancy aid and take a means of contact with you such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. Avoid offshore winds as they can take you far out to sea without realising. If you have any doubts speak to one of our lifeguards who will be happy to provide some advise’

Notes to editors

  • Photos taken of RNLI lifeguards at Harlyn Bay credit, Peter Hicks, name of lifeguard Somer Juster-Horsfield

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Archie Connolly, Media Engagement – Placement-South West on 07977 468283 or [email protected],uk or Amy Caldwell , Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 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.

With September set to get off to a warm start, the charity’s lifeguards are reminding people to choose one of the remaining 68 lifeguarded beaches if they are visiting the coast.


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.

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.