THE RNLI Lifeguards are set to return to beaches this weekend ahead of the Easter Holidays. The RNLI are advising that anyone visiting the coast, should choose a lifeguarded beach.

Last year (2024) RNLI lifeguards in West Wales of responded to 654 incidents, aided 1,055 people, made 96,388 preventative actions and saved five lives.

This Saturday 12 April, RNLI lifeguards are returning to their posts to keep visitors safe at beaches in Pembrokeshire.

The RNLI will be patrolling at Whitesands Beach every day from 10am-6pm from 12-27 April. Lifeguards will also be patrolling at Tenby South Beach from 10am-6pm from 18-21 April.

From Monday 1 April, the service will continue on weekends only at Whitesands until 25 May when the beach goes live full time. Tenby South will also be patrolled at weekends only until 25 May.

The RNLI encourages beachgoers to swim between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach and patrol this area at all times.

Anyone intending on intend on surfing or participating in hard craft activity, should stay between the black and white flags.

At this time of year, when the sea is at its coldest, cold water shock is a possibility. Water temperature below 15 degrees can affect breathing and movement, which often causes panic and can lead to drowning.

Anyone planning a dip is advised to wear a wetsuit, to minimise the risk of cold water shock and the carrying of a floatation device is recommended.

Stuart Penfold Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire said: ‘We’re very much looking forward to having our lifeguards back on the beach. Our team have recently gone through intensive training in preparation for the Easter Holidays.

‘Should people plan on going in the sea during the holidays, we encourage them to visit on of our patrolled beaches. We can keep an eye on you between our flags. Our goal is to keep everyone safe.

‘If you go in the sea at a non-patrolled beach, make sure you someone knows where you are at all times and that you have a means for calling for help.

‘If you find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you fall in the water unexpectedly, try to relax and float to live.’

RNLI Float to Live advice:

· Tilt your head back with your ears submerged

· Relax and try to breathe normally

· Move your hands to help you stay afloat

· It’s okay if your legs sink, we all float differently

· Spread your arms and legs to improve stability

Media Contacts

For more information, please contact Anya Walton Communications Placement at Anya_Walton@rnli.org.uk or call 07977468268. Alternatively, contact the RNLI Press Office at PressOffice@rnli.org.uk or call 01202336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube

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Contacting the RNLI – public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Research shows 15% of people have been cut off by the tide as spring tides coincide with Easter break

AS FAMILIES flock to the Welsh coast for the Easter school holidays, the RNLI has issued a stark warning following new research revealing widespread gaps in public understanding of tidal safety.

The joint survey by the RNLI and Bangor University found that around 15% of people in the UK and Ireland—equivalent to 10 million individuals—have either been cut off by the tide or had a near miss. Worryingly, many of these incidents involved people who had not intended to enter the water at all.

With spring tides forecast during the Easter break—when beaches are expected to be busy—the RNLI is urging extra caution. In Wales, being cut off by the tide accounts for almost 8% of all lifeboat launches over the last decade, more than double the UK average. On days with higher tides, areas not typically at risk can quickly become hazardous.

One of the worst-affected locations is Sully Island, where the RNLI is once again deploying volunteers to patrol the causeway during peak tidal periods. This initiative, launched last year, significantly reduced the number of people stranded by the tide. The RNLI is now appealing for more volunteers to support the project this season.

A key finding of the Bangor University survey was that 60% of those who had been cut off were shocked by the speed of the incoming tide.

The study also revealed that:

• Four in ten people have no basic understanding of how tides work.
• Only half of respondents said they check tide times before visiting the beach.
• Just 24% feel confident reading and interpreting a tide timetable.

To better understand these knowledge gaps, Bangor University’s Impact and Innovation Fund commissioned a multidisciplinary team—including a marine social scientist, an ocean scientist and a discourse analyst—to conduct a nationwide survey and interview tidal incident survivors. The findings will inform future public safety campaigns.

The RNLI recommends checking tide times using reliable online sources such as the Met Office before setting out, and reminds coastal visitors that tide times vary daily and by location.

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead for Wales, said: “The results of the survey are eye-opening and show that a large proportion of the public have gaps in tidal knowledge.

“We’ll be using these findings to shape future safety campaigns and educational efforts.

“With spring tides forecast, people may find themselves cut off faster than usual—sometimes in areas not normally at risk.

“It’s hard to imagine how a simple walk can turn dangerous so quickly. That’s why it’s vital to check tide times at the start of your day, watch for the tide turning, and always leave enough time to return safely.”

Dr Liz Morris-Webb, Honorary Research Fellow at Bangor University, added: “In my 25 years of coastal research, I’ve seen everyone from tourists to seasoned marine professionals caught out by tides.

“The stories shared by those we spoke to show how a relaxing day out can turn into a life-threatening situation.

“Thanks to those who contributed their experiences, we’re now in a stronger position to raise awareness and improve public safety messaging.”

The RNLI’s top tips for coastal safety this Easter:

• Check tide times before setting out. If you’re unsure, seek local advice.
• Choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags.
• If you get into trouble in the water, remember: Float to Live. Lean back, keep your mouth above water, and try to control your breathing. Use your hands to stay afloat.
• In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

ASCONA GROUP have helped raise an incredible £67,814 in just over six months for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.

The company has teamed up with the award-winning UK fintech charity Pennies, which enables micro-donation opportunities at checkout, helping create huge impact for charities in need.

Customers are given the opportunity to donate to charity when paying by card or digital wallet which Ascona will be match funding.

Darren Briggs, founder and Chief Executive of Ascona Group said: “Wales Air Ambulance, is such a phenomenal service and our customers recognise that.

“They have been so generous at our tills, whenever they make a purchase, they are given the option of donating 30p to the Charity, which Ascona will match-fund.

“As you can see from the amount raised so far, they think a lot of the service.”

The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.

Darren said: “It means a lot on a personal level to be able to help support a Charity that helps save so many lives each year.

“One of my longest serving employees, needed the help of the Wales Air Ambulance, and is thankfully still with us.”

He added: “As a helicopter pilot, I also understand the flying element to the service too, it’s unbelievable what they do under such pressure.

“There are so many things that must be considered even before take-off.

“There’s the logistics, navigating the terrain – some patients can be in hard to access areas, and most importantly providing critical care at the scene.”

Ascona Group has 62 forecourts across the UK and serves 300,000 customers a week. It dispenses 5.0 million litres of motor fuel per week – That’s an equivalent of 19 tankers per day.

Valero is a global fuels manufacturer and owns and operates Pembroke Refinery in West Wales. It has taken around 18 months for both companies to rollout the Pennies initiative.

Alison Cousins, Area Sales Manager for Valero Energy Ltd, said: “Valero is proud of our charitable partnership with the Wales Air Ambulance, and is pleased to have been able to support the rollout of Pennies charitable giving across Ascona sites.

“Wales Air Ambulance carry out inspirational, lifesaving work for those who need it most, and we are delighted today to help celebrate the public and Ascona’s generous donation efforts across the communities we are so fortunate to be a part of.”

Customers making a purchase at Ascona’s Valero branded forecourts will see messaging around the campaign on fuel pumps and at the counter.

Geoffrey Harding, Head of Fuel Strategy at Ascona Group, said: “If you pay using the card reader, you will have the option to donate 30p, which Ascona will match up to £100,000.

“For every donation we have seen so far, we have matched, when paid by card.

“We also have donation boxes at the checkout, for anyone paying with cash, who might wish to donate.

“It is totally the customer’s choice, the staff are fully trained to answer any questions the customer has and it’s just a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ option on the card reader, if they wish to add a donation on to their transaction, they can with the added bonus that Ascona will match fund the donation.”

Pennies CEO, Alison Hutchinson CBE, added: “Pennies is proud to partner with Ascona, and congratulations to the team and customers for their amazing fundraising efforts.

“The generosity of Ascona customers and Ascona with their match funding has created tremendous impact for The Wales Air Ambulance.

“Thank you to the Ascona team and to all those customers who press ‘yes’ – your small acts of generosity make such a difference.”

Ascona and Valero’s Pennies’ campaign is raising around £1,200 per week on average. Since its launch in 2010, Pennies has facilitated over 255 million micro-donations, raising £62 million for more than 1,060 charities.

Phae Jones, Director of Income at Wales Air Ambulance said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to every customer who has donated over the past six months at Ascona sites.

“We are hugely grateful to Ascona for kindly match-funding all money raised to the value of £100,000. That is an incredibly generous amount, which will help save many lives and will be the company’s second £100,000 donation in the last two years.

“The Valero team are also hugely supportive of the work we do and have been fantastic during the rollout of the Pennies initiative.

“As a Charity, we must raise £11.2 million pounds each year, to keep our helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road.

“Partnerships like this are key to enabling us to keep doing what we do.”