RNLI Lifeguard Open Day Brings Beachside Fun to Boscombe this weekend

You’ve probably seen the RNLI lifeguards on patrol, ready for the busy summer season. But how much do you know about who they are, how they train, and the essential role they play in the community all year round? The open day is your chance to meet the team, learn about their work and see how they help save lives at sea.

From 10:30am to 5:00pm, you can join RNLI Lifeguards, Fundraisers, Water Safety Education Volunteers and many others for a full day of activities for free. There’ll be plenty to get involved in, including, children’s games, videos, lifeguard rescue demonstrations and even sand hole collapse demonstrations.

Whether you’re at the beach all day or simply strolling by, there’s something for everyone. You can find the full itinerary just below:

10:30am – Event Opening (Saturday opening by the Mayor of Bournemouth)

11:00am-4:30pm – Lifeguard Garage Open (Information boards, videos, Gift stall)

11:00am – Water Safety Activities & Children’s Games

12:00pm – Lifeguard Rescue Demonstration

12:30pm - Water Safety Activities & Children’s Games

2:00pm – Lifeguard Rescue Demonstration

2:30pm – Draw of the Lifeguard Trail Winner (Sunday only)

2:40pm - Water Safety Activities & Children’s Games

3:00pm – Sand Hole Collapse Demonstration

4:00pm – Lifeguard Rescue Demonstration

5:00pm – Event Closes

David Richmond-Coggan, Chairman of East Dorset Lifeguards Fundraisers, said: ‘We are really excited to be putting on these open days to help our local communities see what lies behind the presence of our RNLI lifeguards on our local beaches here in Poole Bay and to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards around the country.

‘We have a varied programme of activities and demonstrations to make it a wonderful day out for all the family. We hope to engage with many residents and visitors over the two days.’

RNLI lifeguards have been keeping our beaches safer since 2001 and in fact, Bournemouth and Poole beach were among the original pilot locations. Over the past 25 years, in Bournemouth and Poole, RNLI lifeguards have saved 188 lives, aided 47, 314 people and responded to 45, 706 incidents.

This year marks the 25 anniversary of RNLI lifeguard service in the area. The Boscombe Lifeguard Open Day is a chance to celebrate and reflect on the invaluable lifesaving work that has evolved over the past 25 years. It’s also an opportunity to look ahead to the future and the continued mission of saving lives as sea.

With warmer weather expected ahead of the weekend, the RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast 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.

-Ends-

Notes to editor:

To learn more about RNLI lifeguarded beaches visit: RNLI Lifeguards In The UK And Channel Islands

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Barkley, RNLI Communications Staff Member for South East, [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.

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.