Summer lifeguard patrols to end on dozens of Cornish beaches from today
The RNLI has issued an autumn sea safety warning about rip currents
Last updated 25th Sep 2022
The RNLI has issued a safety warning as beaches across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Jersey conclude their lifeguarding service for the summer season.
Four will continue daily patrols throughout October, while 17 will have weekend-only cover in October and every day during half-term ahead of the extended lifeguarding season drawing to a close on Sunday 30th October 2022.
During the peak summer season, RNLI lifeguards operate on around 90 beaches across the South West region but uses a staggered approach to withdraw cover for the winter, based on a variety of factors including visitor numbers, previous incident statistics and local hazards.
Which beaches will end cover on Sunday?
The Cornish beaches where lifeguard cover will end on Sunday 25th September are:
Seaton, Sharrow, Tregantle, Poldhu, Kennack Sands, Gyllyngvase, Great Western, Tolcarne, Porth, Portreath, Chapel Porth, St. Agnes, Perran Sands, Holywell Bay, Godrevy, Gwithian South, Upton Towans, Beachview, Mexico Towans, Hayle, Porthminster, Gwenver, Porthcurno, Porthcothan, Treyarnon, Booby’s, Trevone, Trebarwith Strand, Black Rock, Bude Crooklets and Sandymouth.
The Devon beaches where lifeguard cover will end on Sunday 25th September are:
Sedgewell Cove, Challaborough, Westward Ho!, Sandymere and Exmouth.
Cover will also end at Weymouth and West Bay in Dorset on Sunday 25th September - as well as St Oeun's Bay, Watersplash and St Brelade's Bay on Jersey.
RNLI lifeguards in the south west have had an extremely busy summer with huge visitor numbers descending on the region.
Watergate Bay recorded over 22,000 people on one day alone during the August heatwave.
As well as huge numbers on beaches, RNLI lifeguards have dealt with multiple mass rescues, lost children, major first aids and provided lots of safety advice to beach goers to ensure they enjoyed their day at the beach as safely as possible.
Henry Irvine, Regional Lifeguard Lead for the south west says: "Throughout the spring and summer months we always stress the importance of choosing a lifeguarded beach if you are planning a day out at the coast and although autumn is in the air, we are still urging anyone planning on entering the water to always go to a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"This time of year the water is at its warmest and we tend to see an increase in swell meaning bigger, more consistent waves, but this can also increase the frequency and power of rip currents, which are one of the biggest dangers in the sea".
In Cornwall, the beaches operational every day until 30th October are Fistral, Perranporth, Porthmeor and Sennen.
Those operational at weekends throughout October and October half-term are Tregonhawke, Praa Sands, Crantock, Towan, Watergate Bay, Mawgan Porth, Porthtowan, Gwithian North, Constantine, Harlyn, Polzeath, Widemouth and Bude Summerleaze.
In Devon, Bantham, Croyde and Woolacombe will have October weekend and half-term cover.
You can check your nearest lifeguarded beach on the RNLI's website.