RNLI lifeguards celebrate 25 years of lifesaving with skydive over Wales

This year marks 25 years of RNLI lifeguards, a service that has helped save lives, prevent accidents, and keep millions of beach visitors safe around the UK coastline.

To celebrate this incredible milestone, the South Pembrokeshire RNLI Lifeguard Team took on a charity skydive over the Swansea coastline at the beginning of September, coinciding with the end of their lifeguard season.

Ffion Mabey, one of the South Pembrokeshire Lifeguards that took part in the skydive, said:

‘It was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of a busy season keeping people safe across our coastline, alongside marking this special 25^th anniversary in lifeguard style!’

It’s been a busy season for the Pembrokeshire Lifeguard Teams with a number of rescues and incidents. In May over the bank holiday weekend, Pembrokeshire RNLI lifeguards recued four people and assisted a further six people in the water as crowds visited the beach..

In August, Tenby Castle Beach lifeguards rescued two paddleboarders who found themselves in difficulty in a rip current. Also in August, RNLI Lifeguards at Whitesands Beach and Newport Beach were busy in action, helping rescue three people who found themselves in difficulty in the water.

And on the final weekend of patrols for the South Pembrokeshire Team, the lifeguards at Fresh Water West Beach rescued four people, including a casualty trapped underwater.

The RNLI lifeguard service first began in Wales in Pembrokeshire in 2008, having started in Cornwall in 2001. RNLI beach lifeguards in the south-west Wales county have saved 164 lives, leading the number of lives saved in Wales. Figures also show that RNLI lifeguards in Pembrokeshire have rescued 1,799 people and aided a further 15,513.

Carl Amos, Seasonal Lifeguard Supervisor in South Pembrokeshire said:

‘As lifeguards, we're used to facing challenges on the beach, responding to emergencies and helping people enjoy the coast safely. But jumping out of an aircraft at 10,000ft is something entirely different!

‘We took this leap, not only to mark 25 years of RNLI lifeguards, but also to raise vital funds for the RNLI so we can continue our lifesaving work around the coast.’

Every year, RNLI lifeguards and volunteer crews dedicate themselves to keeping people safe in and around the water. The RNLI is a charity that relies on public support and every donation helps provide lifesaving equipment, training, education, and rescue services.

Carl continued:

‘For us, this challenge is about more than the adrenaline. It's about celebrating the proud history of RNLI lifeguards, recognising the dedication of those who have served over the past 25 years and helping ensure that this invaluable service continues into the future.

‘We are also here to inspire the next generation of RNLI lifeguards, to get involved and join the team for the best summer job around.

‘Our donation page is still open if you can help us reach our fundraising target. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps save lives.’

To donate please follow Fundraiser by Carl Amos : RNLI South Pembrokeshire Charity Skydive.

RNLI lifeguards are operating 10am-6pm on weekends at Whitesands Beach in North Pembrokeshire. For the October half-term, there will be daily patrols (24 October – 1 November).

Applications to become a RNLI beach lifeguard for the 2027 season open in January 2027. For more information follow Lifeguards: 2027 Season.

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please contact Betsy Owen, Regional Communications Placement on [email protected] or 07483 485378.

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.