HUNDREDS more Welsh primary school pupils will get the chance to Hit the Surf with RNLI lifeguards as a popular sea safety scheme returns.
The educational programme saw more than 3,000 Welsh children take part before the summer holidays and now 500 more will get the chance to have fun and learn beach safety in Pembrokeshire.
Three more weeks of Hit the Surf sessions started on Monday (Sept 7) – first off at Whitesands in St Davids and then two weeks in Tenby.
Hundreds more children will take part in sessions in Whitmore Bay, Barry Island, also starting on today.
The educational programme was first introduced by the RNLI charity back in 2004 and has grown in popularity over the years. As part of the half-day session children are taught the meaning of beach flags, the dangers of rips and tides and what to do if they spot someone else in trouble. However the highlight for each child every year is the chance to put on a wetsuit and learn basic surf skills under the watchful eye of the RNLI lifeguards.
Elin Jones, RNLI Lifeguard Community Engagement Supervisor, said: “Our lifeguards have been busy in their posts providing a daily safety service on the beaches over the summer and their peak season ended on Sunday (September 6).
“Now the Hit the Surf team are looking forward to helping more school children have fun and learn some new skills and tips to stay safe on the beach.
“We had a great response from the more than 3,000 youngsters who have already taken part in Hit the Surf in Wales this year and we are sure this will continue in the coming weeks.”
The RNLI lifeguards’ daily safety service came to an end on Sunday after another busy season on the beaches of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Port Talbot and the Vale of Glamorgan. A weekend safety service will continue on Whitesands beach between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays until Sept 27.
For more information on how to stay safe on the beach visit the RNLI website www.rnli.org. uk/beachsafety or download the charity’s’ beach safety mobile app.
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