The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has reached 25 years of keeping beaches safer by delivering a world class lifeguard service to coastal communities and their visitors around the UK and Channel Islands.
Since 2001, RNLI lifeguards have saved 2,165 lives, aided 459,354 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 333, 330 incidents and carried out more than 48M preventative actions.
Back in 2001, the charity took action when stark figures showed 200 lives were lost on UK beaches. Lifesaving clubs were already patrolling but not on the scale required, the RNLI wanted to provide a solution and established a co-ordinated rescue service. Working with lifesaving clubs and beach owners, the RNLI piloted lifeguarded beaches in south-west England and the results spoke for themselves as 20 lives were saved in the first year.
It led to an official service being formed and advancement in the equipment and training available to lifeguards. Safety literature information and warning signs were also developed for beaches so visitors knew what dangers they may encounter and how to keep themselves safe.
Year on year the RNLI’s lifeguard service has grown through working closely with partners and now there are over 245 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands being patrolled, meaning it’s the largest lifeguard service provider in the UK.
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.’
Lewis Timson is a Lifeguard Supervisor in Newquay and was part of the first RNLI lifeguards to be on beaches in 2001 when he was 18-years-old. Before the RNLI, Lewis was part of the local surf school which would operate lifeguarding alongside teaching surf lessons.
Lewis 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.
Lewis has worked overseas as well as on Cornish beaches and when asked whether lifeguarding had changed over the past 25 years, he continued:
‘The fundamentals are the same, we still need to be 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’.
From beach safety and prevention to rescuing those in the water and delivering casualty care RNLI lifeguards are prepared to deal with any situation they might face. Almost a year on from a dramatic rescue at Praa Sands in Cornwall, the lifeguards who saved a swimmer’s life during their induction training are set to receive a Letter of Commendation from the RNLI’s Chief Operating Officer, and the man they rescued will return to the beach to present it to them in person.
Mark was pulled from the water in near galeforce conditions on 2 April 2025 after being spotted struggling 200 metres offshore. He was fighting against the current and being pushed toward the rocks. Despite low evening sun and powerful swell making visibility almost impossible, the RNLI lifeguard team launched an immediate response. Their courage, skill and teamwork ensured Mark was brought safely back to shore, where further casualty care continued until paramedics arrived.
Mark says: ‘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.’
The commendation marks not only the professionalism of the lifeguards involved, but also the lifesaving impact of their work. It’s a reminder of the countless families who are here today because of RNLI lifeguards’ dedication over the past 25 years.
On Saturday 28 March the first set of lifeguard patrols will start for the 2025 season with lifeguards present on 39 beaches over the Easter weekend. Over the coming months the number of lifeguarded beaches will increase until there are over 245 patrols at peak season in July.
If you are heading to the coast this Easter, try to find a lifeguarded beach if possible. Your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach can be found here.
The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer 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.
