RHYL lifeguards will return to beaches in Rhyl and Prestatyn.

Lifesavers from the The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will resume their patrols on Saturday, July 4, as part of a new beach safety campaign in Wales which urges parents to protect their families by following key safety advice to save lives this summer.

The campaign is behind run by RNLI and HM Coastguard.

Matt Crofts, RNLI Lifesaving Manager for Wales, said: "As changes to the Welsh Government restrictions come into effect from Monday, more people are expected to visit the coast to exercise and take part in water-based activities. The first few weeks of having lifeguards back on Welsh beaches has helped the RNLI properly test new ways of operating put in place to manage the risks of Coronavirus and have allowed us to accelerate and expand our plans here in Wales this summer.

Rhyl Journal:

Launch of the RNLI and HM Coastguard summer beach safety campaign in Wales

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water safety lead for Wales, said: ‘It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the hazards of the environment and you must take more responsibility for you and your family this summer.

"No one ever goes to the coast to be rescued yet RNLI lifeguards rescue 1000s each year.’

Lifeguards resumed patrols on 14 beaches in Wales in June.

The charity returned to a further 12 beaches from July 4. This takes the total number of RNLI lifeguarded beaches in Wales to 26 in time for the summer peak season.

Across Welsh beaches in 2019, RNLI lifeguards aided 4801 people in 1850 incidents, saving a total of 39 lives.

Around the UK and Ireland, lifeguards helped 1,800 lost children and teenagers with their families and aided 346 people in incidents involving inflatables.

Claire Hughes, director of HM Coastguard, said: ‘We know from sad experience that whether you’re local or not, whatever your ability of experience in your chosen sport or leisure activity, the sea can still catch you out and be unmerciful when it does.

"Now, more than ever we need people to respect the sea and the coast."

The RNLI and HM Coastguard are advising the public not to use inflatables at all and for everyone, especially parents, planning a visit to a beach or the coast to follow the following safety advice:

  • When possible, visit a lifeguarded beach.
  • Have a plan - check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage
  • Keep a close eye on family – on the beach and in the water
  • Don’t allow family members to swim alone
  • Don’t use inflatables
  • If you fall into the water unexpectedly, float to live. Fight instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend arms and legs, and float
  • In an emergency dial 999, and ask for the Coastguard

Roll-out of the normal seasonal RNLI lifeguard service was paused at the end of March due to the measures put in place by the UK Government to control the spread of Coronavirus.

With changes to the lockdown restrictions allowing the public to visit beaches around the UK and Channel Islands, the RNLI has been able to resume a reduced lifeguard service.