Intrepid RNLI Supporters make a Splash at Whitstable RNLI

Shortly after 2.30pm and cheered on by family, friends and spectators and with the lifeboat and two of Whitstable Yacht Club's safety boats just offshore in support, our 'brave' group ran or walked down the beach in front of the boathouse to the water’s edge with the most intrepid diving straight in but with others taking it somewhat more cautiously and wading in to perhaps waist high.

For some it was a quick in and out but others and probably to most experienced ‘year round’ swimmers spent longer in the calm but chilly water, the wind of the previous day's having subsided.

Afterwards many enjoyed warming drink from the station cafe or sampled the warmer atmosphere in the Sea Scrub Sauna adjacent to the beach by the boathouse.

Amongst those taking part were Jo and Emily Aslin from Whitstable. Jo describing the experience as “Invigorating”.

Another group taking part were relatives Bray and Galway from Whitstable and Chatham, Luka Galway (12) said “It was really cold so I came out and got a little warmer and I went back in again to full depth“Whitstable RNLI's Jo Fenton said “This was the second time we have held a sponsored dip at the station and it was an amazing turnout and I think it all went very well, everybody seemed to enjoy the experience”.

The amount raised which includes entrance fees and donations have yet to be calculated but we thank everyone for taking part along with all those who helped organise and promote the afternoon and to Whitstable Yacht Club for providing two safety boats to assist our own lifeboat”.

Notes to editors

• Whitstable RNLI Lifeboat Station was established in 1963 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and is one of 237 lifeboat stations around the shores of the UK and Ireland. The volunteer crews provide a maritime search and rescue service for the Kent coast. They cover the area between the Kingsferry Bridge on the Swale, in the west, around the south-eastern side of Sheppey and along the coast through Whitstable and Herne Bay to Reculver in the east and outwards into the Thames Estuary.

• The station is equipped with an Atlantic 85 lifeboat named Lewisco, purchased through a bequest of a Miss Lewis of London who passed away in 2006.

• She is what is known as a rigid inflatable inshore lifeboat, the boat’s rigid hull being topped by an inflatable sponson. She carries a crew of four people.

• RNLI media contacts

• Chris Davey, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Whitstable Lifeboat Station.
  07741 012004/ [email protected]

• Julie Rainey- Regional Communications Lead : 07827 358256

• Jess Curtis RNLI Regional Communications Manager South East Mob: 07483 488243| Email: [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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