RNLI beach lifeguards return service to Camber Central beach this Easter
On Good Friday 03 April, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) beach lifeguards are returning their service to Camber Central beach, ready to be on watch for Easter weekend and the upcoming summer season.
From Friday 03 April to Sunday 27 September, RNLI beach lifeguards will patrol seven days a week between 10am and 6pm, at Camber Central beach. RNLI lifeguards will return to the rest of East Sussex’s beaches between the 23 May and 18 July.
RNLI lifeguards have been keeping our beaches safer since 2001, providing critical support to coastal communities and their visitors, and delivering world class lifesaving. Figures show that in 2025, RNLI lifeguards saved 16 lives across the South East of England, responding to 2,567 incidents and assisting 2,843 people.
The RNLI is a charity that depends on donations to fund the lifeguards’ kit and training. Before a lifeguard sets foot on a beach, they take part in months of training. From a rigorous fitness test to learning vital casualty care skills, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment in order to save lives at the beach.
Nelly Gallichan, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for East Sussex, said: ‘This year we are celebrating 25 years of RNLI beach lifeguards, and our team have been training hard over the past few weeks to get ready for this milestone season. We’re excited to be back on the beaches – keeping people safe, offering support, and helping everyone enjoy their day.
‘As the weather gets nicer, we’re expecting plenty of beachgoers heading to the coast. If you’re planning a trip, please choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags. If you’d like advice about the local beach environment, such as tides, sea conditions and the day’s weather, our lifeguards are always happy to help.
‘Even when the sun is shining, the water can still be very cold - at this time of year, the water at Camber Sands beach stays around 9 degrees celsius. Whatever activity you’re planning to do, please take a moment to prepare properly: always carry a means of calling for help, check the weather forecast before you head out, and read local hazard signs so you’re aware of any local risks.’
Sam Stone, Rother District Council’s Coastal Operations Manager, said: ‘We look forward to the return of the RNLI who will join our own beach patrol teams to give advice and safety messages and keep everyone visiting Camber as safe as possible.
‘Camber is a beautiful location, and the beach can attract tens of thousands of visitors on a sunny day. We will continue to work with the RNLI, emergency services, local communities, and other partners to ensure this summer season is a success.’
The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this Easter to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by being water smart and following their 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.
- For activities like paddleboarding or kayaking we recommend you wear a wetsuit, buoyancy aid or lifejacket and carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and keep it on you. Tell someone what you are doing, where you are going and when you expect to return.
- If you are going open water swimming, use a wetsuit to keep you warm, wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float to store personal items including a phone for emergencies.
- 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.
Across the South East, the RNLI provides lifeguard services across beaches in Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex and Kent. To find your nearest lifeguarded beach, service dates and operating times, find out here: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.
-Ends-
Notes to editor:
- To learn more about RNLI lifeguarded beaches visit: RNLI Lifeguards In The UK And Channel Islands
RNLI media contacts
For more information please, please contact Kate Barkley, Communications Placement – South East on on 07483 482650 or
[email protected].
Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or
Facebook,
Instagram,
X and
YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the
RNLI News Centre.
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and around 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.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.