RNLI lifeguards in the south west save over 1,000 lives in 25 years on beaches

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has reached 25 years of keeping beaches safer by delivering a world class lifeguard service to coastal communities around the UK. As the charity marks this milestone, its lifesavers are training ahead of the 2026 season and the Easter school holidays.

Since 2001, RNLI lifeguards in the south west have saved 1098 lives and aided 167,592 people through rescues, interventions and delivering casualty care. They have responded to 185,954 incidents and carried out more than 22M 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 15 lifeguarded beaches in the south west* and the results spoke for themselves as 20 lives were saved in the first year.

It led to an official service being formed and the service has since expanded to reach over 90 lifeguarded beaches in the region and 245 nationally. 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 Lead 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 a local surf school which would operate lifeguarding patrols 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 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 difficulty and delivering vital casualty care, RNLI lifeguards are trained to respond to any situation they may 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 Ferrer was pulled from the water in near gale‑force 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.’

RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Adam Harris says: ‘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.’ 

The commendation marks not only the professionalism of the lifeguards involved, but also the life‑saving 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.

RNLI lifeguards are preparing to return to beaches at Easter for their 25th anniversary season by training and honing their skills, which involves completing fitness tests, practising on the rescue equipment and refreshing their casualty care

In line with local school holidays, RNLI lifeguards will commence patrols on Weymouth beach on Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April. Patrols on 25 beaches across Devon and Cornwall will commence on Good Friday (3 April) to Sunday 19 April**.

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 - https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.·

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.