RNLI LIFEGUARDS will finish their daily safety service on the beaches of Ceredigion this weekend.
Lifeguards will lower the flags and pack their equipment away for the final time on Sunday (Sep 4) at New Quay, Llangrannog, Aberystwyth North and South, Tresaith, Aberporth, Borth and Clarach beaches.
Safety patrols on Newport and Poppit Sands in North Pembrokeshire will also finish on Sunday.
There have been good numbers of visitors to the area’s beaches during the summer meaning a busy few months for the RNLI lifeguard team, which is provided in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council. As well as a number of water rescues, the lifeguards also dealt with a high number of first aid incidents and provided safety advice and assistance to thousands of beachgoers.
Incidents responded to by RNLI lifeguards in the county this season included the rescue of a woman and two children who were swept out in a rip current in big surf at Llangrannog and a young girl unable to swim who fell off an inflatable out of her depth at Borth.
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Sam Trevor said: “I would like to thank all the lifeguards who once again provided a first class safety service on the county’s beaches this summer. They have shown commitment and dedication to both their ongoing training and their work on the beaches.
“The majority of our lifeguards’ work is preventative so as well as the rescues and incidents they were involved in, they will have stopped many more potentially dangerous incidents before they occurred.
“After Sunday there will be no red and yellow flags flying at these beaches, which means there’s no lifeguard service operating.
“People visiting the beaches after this can help keep themselves safe by taking note of the safety signage at the entrance to the beach, going with a friend or telling someone on the shore where they are going, and always being aware of the conditions and their own capabilities in the water.”
Phil Davies, RNLI Lifeguard Manager, added: “Autumn sees big spring tides and bigger swell around the coast. People walking on the coast should always check the tide times before setting out and carry a means of communication. The bigger swells mean more unpredictable rip currents in the water so people should take extra care. Anyone in difficulty in the water should try not to panic or fight against any currents, hold onto anything buoyant they have, call for help and raise their hand to attract attention and try to keep their head above water.
“The RNLI’s advice is not to enter the water if you see someone in trouble but rather to call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”
Councillor Gareth Lloyd, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism, said: “Ceredigion has experienced a busy summer season with visitors and locals flocking to the county’s beaches. Our beaches have been extremely busy at times and whilst there have been a few reported incidents, I’m pleased that the RNLI lifeguards have been on hand every time to provide assistance. The lifeguards’ presence on Ceredigion’s main beaches this season has once again has been welcomed and appreciated by beach users.”
A host of information and advice on various aspects of water safety is available at http://rnli.org/safety/respect-the-water.
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