Lifesavers who guard beaches need us all to give generously

THIS year marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s beach lifeguarding service. Although the RNLI has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824, until 2001 it was mainly concerned with sending lifeboats to mariners in trouble. Yet the growing interest in watersports and the huge popularity of the beach has made the lifeguard service among the most important provided by the charity.

This year those lifeguards who keep a watchful eye over bathers, surfers, paddle-boarders and kayakers at beaches up and down the Westcountry have had their work cut out. The staycation summer of 2021 has been among the busiest on record. And the beach – even in less than perfect weather conditions – has been a huge draw for hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers and locals.

That’s why, as the WMN reports today, this has been one of the busiest seasons on record for the lifeguards and why the appeal which has been launched to raise funds to train even more lifeguards represents such a good cause.

Before 2001 and the launch of the RNLI lifeguards, cover at beaches was provided by lifesaving and surf clubs as well as by local councils in some areas. But as coastal usage soared, it became clear the scope of the service didn’t match demand.

The RNLI piloted a beach rescue service in Newquay and at Whitsand Bay in Cornwall, and at Weymouth, Bournemouth and Poole in Dorset. The results spoke for themselves as 20 lives were saved in the first year.

By the time of the 20th anniversary, this summer, they had saved the lives of 1,462 people, aided 273,210 people, responded to 229,871 incidents and carried out over 19 million preventative actions.

The service started with just 15 beaches covered. It has grown to more than 90 and, with the South West the prime holiday destination for beachgoers in Britain, it is little surprise that the region is among the most important for RNLI beach lifeguards in Britain and still the busiest.

It is not always appreciated, however, that the RNLI runs as a charity, gets no money from the Government and relies entirely on donations from the public. That’s why every time it launches a new appeal anyone who enjoys the coast and makes use of the water ought to dig deep and contribute. Those who benefit from RNLI rescue services are always thankful. Some of them owe their lives to the lifeguards. Families who know they came close to losing a loved one have a special reason to be forever grateful.

No one has to pay to have their life saved by the RNLI. But knowing it is there makes a huge difference to the success of the Westcountry coastline as a tourist destination and a place of rest and recreation for us all. It is not unreasonable to hope that those who use the beaches will make a contribution to the service that keeps them safe. Dave Nicoll, of the RNLI, summed it up: “If you were helped by one of our lifeguards this summer, or if you simply want to make a kind donation, please visit our JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/SW-LifeguardAppeal-2021.” It’s a message we all should heed.