RNLI beach lifeguards return service to Hastings and St Leonards beaches

From Saturday 23 May to Sunday 27 September, RNLI beach lifeguards will be returning service to Hastings Pelham, Hastings Pier and St Leonards beaches. Please see the RNLI lifeguard patrol dates and times for Hastings and St Leonards below:

Lifeguard patrol dates 2026

May Half Term: 23 May – 31 May

Weekends Only: 06 June – 12 July

Daily: 18 July – 06 September

Weekends Only: 12 September – 27 September

Patrol times: 10am-6pm

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. 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.’

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, Leader of Hastings Borough Council, said: ‘We are pleased to welcome the RNLI lifeguards back to our beaches from Saturday 23 May for the summer season. This highly trained charity provides an invaluable service for Hastings Borough Council by managing beach lifeguarding for us.

‘Their work over the past 25 years in Hastings has been really important, not only for water rescues, but also dealing with beach safety issues such as lost children and medical situations.

‘Please help them by reading the RNLI’s beach safety advice before you visit, so you understand the risks in and around the water. Simple safety tips include remembering to only visit a lifeguarded beach and to only swim between the red and yellow flags.’

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.

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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.