RNLI Lifeguards Mark 25 Years of Beach Safety in South West

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is marking 25 years of its lifeguard service, with new figures showing more than 1,000 lives have been saved on beaches across the south west.

As the milestone is reached, RNLI lifeguards are preparing for the 2026 season and the Easter school holidays, with patrols set to return to beaches across Cornwall and beyond.

📷Group shot of West Dorset lifeguards at Weymouth beach. - Credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams

A Quarter Century of Lifesaving

Since 2001, RNLI lifeguards in the south west have saved 1,098 lives and assisted 167,592 people through rescues, interventions and casualty care.

They have responded to 185,954 incidents and carried out more than 22 million preventative actions to stop situations from becoming dangerous.

The RNLI introduced its lifeguard service after figures showed 200 lives were being lost on UK beaches. Working alongside lifesaving clubs and beach owners, the charity began with 15 beaches in the south west. In that first year alone, 20 lives were saved.

Since then, the service has expanded significantly, with over 90 lifeguarded beaches in the south west and 245 across the UK and Channel Islands.

📷Group shot of Newquay Lifeguards - Credit: RNLI

Prevention at the Heart of the Role

Peter Dawes, RNLI Lifeguard General Manager, said:

“Thanks to RNLI lifeguards our beaches are safer places, so we can enjoy our time at the coast and return home safely at the end of the day. Around 95% of a lifeguard’s work is prevention. They keep beachgoers safe by educating them about water safety and spotting the dangers before accidents happen.

“RNLI lifeguards past and present have kept millions of beach visitors safe over the past 25 years and will continue to do so for years to come. If you are planning a visit to the coast this summer, please remember to visit a lifeguarded beach.”

Preventative actions include advising swimmers away from rip currents, warning of changing conditions, and directing people to safer areas of the beach.

📷Lifeguard on a rescue watercraft (RWC) in surf at Fistral beach, Newquay, Cornwall - Credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams

From 2001 to Today

Lewis Timson, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor in Newquay, was part of the original intake of RNLI lifeguards in 2001 at the age of 18.

Lewis Timson said:

“The RNLI already had a strong, 180-year history of providing a front-line emergency lifesaving service and were able to bring the knowledge and expertise over from the lifeboat service to the lifeguards. The equipment and the training from the RNLI really set the gold standard. As soon as I was working for the RNLI, I knew that it was what I wanted to do.”

Reflecting on how the role has changed, he added:

“The fundamentals are the same; we still need well trained, capable, skilled lifeguards on our beaches. But there has definitely been a shift with how we keep people safe. This has developed alongside the amount of people we now get visiting our beaches and going in the water. Lifeguarding now is such a proactive service, being proactive is the standard and the new ‘normal’.”

📷Croyde Lifeguards - Credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams

Dramatic Rescue Recognised

Nearly a year on from a rescue at Praa Sands on 2nd April 2025, a team of nine lifeguards are set to receive a Letter of Commendation.

Mark Ferrer was pulled from the water after being spotted struggling around 200 metres offshore in near gale force conditions. Despite difficult visibility and strong swell, the lifeguards launched an immediate response and brought him safely back to shore, where casualty care continued until paramedics arrived.

Mark Ferrer said:

“Thank you doesn’t really cover it. I’m very fortunate that there are people out there who are prepared to put their lives in danger and put themselves in harm’s way even though they don’t know me, have never met me and that’s not lost on me at all, I won’t ever forget it.

“I’m fortunate that they happened to be there on a training day and were having a debrief at the end of the day before going home, so there were many things that revolved around that group of lifeguards and are the only reason how I’m here today, I know that’s the truth. Thank you isn’t enough but just so they know I appreciate what they did.”

Adam Harris, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, said:

“I’m incredibly proud of the team of nine lifeguards who, although not on active duty, showed incredible courage and teamwork to save the life of a holidaymaker at Praa Sands. If we were not there, I fear there would have been a completely different outcome.”

📷South Devon Lifeguards - Credit: RNLI/Nigel Millard

Easter Patrols Begin Soon

RNLI lifeguards will return to beaches in time for the Easter holidays.

Patrols begin on Weymouth beach from Saturday 28th March to Sunday 12th April.

Across Cornwall and Devon, 25 beaches will be patrolled from Friday 3rd April to Sunday 19th April, including Fistral, Perranporth, Sennen and Praa Sands.

Visitors can find their nearest lifeguarded beach using the RNLI’s online tool here: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches

Safety Advice for Beachgoers

The RNLI is urging anyone heading to the coast this Easter and summer to stay safe by following key advice:

• Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags
• Check weather forecasts, tide times and local hazard signage
• Wear suitable safety gear for activities like paddleboarding or kayaking
• Tell someone your plans before heading out
• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, remember to Float to Live

In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

As the RNLI marks 25 years of lifeguarding, the figures highlight the scale of the work carried out across Cornwall’s beaches and beyond, with prevention and rapid response continuing to play a vital role in keeping people safe.

📷Newquay senior lifeguard Hannah Dixon at Fistral beach. - Credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams