September marks the end of peak season for RNLI lifeguards in the south west.

The end of peak season will see a reduced lifeguard service with certain beaches no longer having lifeguard patrols in 2024.

With September set to get off to a warm start, the charity’s lifeguards are reminding people to choose one of the remaining lifeguarded beaches if they are visiting the coast.

List of beaches finishing lifeguard patrols as of Sunday 1 September:

Devon: Bigbury-On-Sea, Slapton Sands, Blackpool Sands, Hope Cove, Teignmouth, Dawlish Warren, Sandy Bay

Guy Botterill, Regional Lifeguard Lead for the south west said:

‘ Whilst the charity’s lifeguards will not be on as many beaches over the next couple of weeks, we are expecting good weather and so I would like to remind people that if you are planning on going to the coast to do so at a lifeguarded beach, swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags and if you do get into trouble remember to float to live, lie flat on your back with your ears submerged.

‘Each year, the RNLI provide a lifeguard service on behalf of the Local Authority or private beach owner, in peak season, RNLI lifeguards patrol nearly 90 beaches across the south west. We’d like to thank our partners for allowing us to provide the service and help continue to keep people safe when they head to the coast. ‘

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach click here: Lifeguarded Beaches - Find Your Nearest Lifeguarded Beach (rnli.org)

The summer period has been busy for RNLI lifeguards, and they have been called into action on numerous occasions including at Harlyn Bay on Monday (26 August).

RNLI lifeguards at Harlyn Bay noticed that two members of the public were on SUP’s(Stand Up Paddleboards) towards the edge of the surf zone and looking a little bit uncomfortable.

Senior RNLI lifeguard, Steven Ducker sent Evan Triscovic and Somer Juster-Horsfield out on rescue boards to assist the paddleboarders who had now been blown around the cliff towards an area known as Little Harlyn.

The conditions were rough, with big surf and rip currents pulling the paddleboarders dangerously close to the rocks, at this point lifeguards launched the IRB(Inshore Rescue Boat) to further assist the casualties.

Lifeguard Somer assisted one of the paddleboarders with her rescue board before passing them on to the lifeguards in the IRB who returned them to shore whilst Evan was able to assist the other casualty by paddling them out of danger and back to the safety of the beach.

Lifeguards then carried out casualty care checks before releasing them once they had established they were ok.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for Padstow Leon Bennett said:

‘Our lifeguards did a great job to react quickly to rescue two paddleboarders who had got into difficulty at Harlyn Bay.

‘The incident is a reminder to people of the risks that come with paddleboarding around our coastline and we would like to remind people if you are going to go paddleboarding to wear a buoyancy aid and take a means of contact with you such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. Avoid offshore winds as they can take you far out to sea without realising. If you have any doubts speak to one of our lifeguards who will be happy to provide some advise’