Meet RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crew in Scotland this Easter holidays

The events will take place across two days: at Broughty Ferry beach and RNLI Broughty Ferry lifeboat station on 15 April, and at Silver Sands beach, Aberdour, and RNLI Kinghorn lifeboat station on 16 April.

The days are free to attend and open to all ages, offering the public the chance to meet their local lifeguards and lifeboat crew, and learn vital water safety skills ahead of summer. Activities will include beach safety demonstrations, Water Smart sessions, CPR workshops and lifeboat station tours.

RNLI lifeguards were first introduced in Scotland on Coldingham beach in 2013, and the team have been expanding ever since. They now patrol eight beaches on the east coast throughout the summer season.

In 2025, the team aided 200 people across 191 incidents, and gave help, support and lifesaving advice to thousands more both on the beach and in primary schools.

During the morning sessions from 10am – 1pm, lifeguards will be at the beach delivering Water Smart sessions every 30 minutes, including demonstrations of Float to Live and rescue techniques, introductions to equipment and dress up as a lifeguard.

In the afternoon between 2pm – 4pm the lifeguards will be at a RNLI lifeboat station to deliver water safety advice. Visitors will also have the chance to meet volunteer lifeboat crew members, view the lifeboat, and learn how the RNLI work together to save lives at sea.

For event organiser Kelly Bowler, her journey with the RNLI all started with her passion for surfing. Inspired by the work of lifeguards she saw on the beaches and in the waves; she joined the RNLI team at 27. Seven years later, now a Lifeguard Supervisor, she is loving it more than ever.

Kelly Bowler says: 'Being a lifeguard is the best job in the world. You’re helping people, spreading lifesaving advice, saving lives at sea and every day is different.

‘The purpose of these events is to get out there before the summer season and spread key safety messages to more people around the coastline. We can’t wait to be back on the beach, engaging with people and having fun while getting important advice across.’

For Kelly, her lifesaving work doesn’t end when she goes home as she is also a dedicated volunteer crew member at RNLI Kinghorn.

‘When I leave work, my pager goes on.’

Her commitment reflects the dedication of RNLI lifeguards, whose work to protect the public extends beyond patrolling the beaches, whether on crew or through their preventative work on beaches and in primary schools.

Water Safety Delivery Support, Iona Hamilton says: ‘These Easter events are a brilliant way for people, both young and old, to learn about water safety. Ultimately, we want everyone to enjoy the water and be equipped with the knowledge that will keep themselves and others safe.’

Notes to editors

• RNLI lifeguards are celebrating 25 years on UK beaches. RNLI lifeguards were first introduced in Scotland in 2013.
• RNLI lifeguards have saved more than 2,000 lives – and given help to thousands more.
• RNLI lifeguards can be found on 8 Scottish beaches throughout the summer season - Coldingham Bay, Silver Sands (Aberdour), Burntisland, Leven, Elie, St Andrews East Sands, St Andrews West Sands and Broughty Ferry.
• Kinghorn lifeboat station has been operating since 1965.
• Broughty Ferry lifeboat station was established in 1830 and was the first inshore lifeboat station in Scotland.

RNLI media contacts

Suzanne O’Brien, RNLI Regional Communications Placement for Scotland, 07483 494407, suzanne_o’[email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 or [email protected].

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.