RNLI lifeguards at Coldingham Bay issue water safety advice ahead of weekend

Senior Lifeguard Rose said: ‘Whilst the warm weather may not be focused on the south-east coast of Scotland, it is still due to be warm, with the surf forecast suggesting a short-lived swell building from Friday, peaking on Sunday.

‘If you’re headed to the coast, you should always try to visit a lifeguarded beach. The lifeguards will set up safe zones for different water sports.

‘Always swim or bodyboard between the red and yellow flags. There may be black and white flags which are for surfers, paddleboarders and kayaks or other hard craft. These water users should stay out of the red and yellow flag zone.

‘When the red flag is flying, please do not enter the water as the lifeguards have decided the conditions are too dangerous.

‘If there are breaking waves, stay within your depth and be aware of how you are drifting with the currents. If you find yourself in a current, don’t panic. Try to stand up and wade back to shore.

‘If you’re out of your depth, or need help, keep hold of your board or float on your back with your ears submerged, raise a hand and shout for help; a lifeguard will come to you.’

RNLI lifeguards have been keeping our beaches safer since 2001, when a trial service was set up on the south coast of England. Since then, the lifeguard patrols have expanded around the UK and Channel Islands, landing in Scotland in 2013.

From the grassy shores of Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders to the harbourside beaches of Portrush, County Antrim; from the dunes of Pembrokeshire's Newport Sands to the pebbled seaside of Brighton, East Sussex: the RNLI's lifeguards patrol more than 245 beaches every summer.

No two of those beaches are the same - their terrain, their hazards, their visitors. But when the lifeguards' flag is flying, they are safer. In fact, the RNLI's lifeguards have saved more than 2,000 lives - and given help to hundreds of thousands more.

So, in their 25^th year, we're celebrating the lifeguards' achievements - and asking more people to support the charity that recruits, trains and equips them: the RNLI.

Notes to editors

• The video shows Coldingham Bay RNLI lifeguards assisting people in tricky conditions in July 2023.
• In 2025, RNLI lifeguards in Scotland responded to 197 incidents, aided 200 people and saved 4 lives.
• The RNLI operate a lifeguard service, 10am-6pm, on the following Scottish beaches: Silver Sands, Aberdour (Fife) Burntisland (Fife), Elie Harbour (Fife), Leven (Fife), St. Andrews East Sands (Fife), St. Andrews West (Fife), Broughty Ferry (Dundee), and Coldingham Bay (Scottish Borders). Season dates vary details here.
• RNLI lifeguards have been keeping our beaches safer since 2001, their patrols have expanded to over 245 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Suzanne O'Brien, RNLI Communications Placement for Scotland, 07483 494407 Suzanne_O'[email protected]

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

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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.

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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.