Stay Safe at the Beach this Summer

Suffolk Secrets has teamed up with Waveney Surf Life Saving Club to promote beach safety at Southwold this summer.

Since the start of this summer’s heatwave, 8 people have lost their lives in the UK, tragically highlighting the dangers of swimming in open water.

For the summer holiday season, Waveney Surf Life Saving Club and Suffolk Secrets will be providign a series of free ‘Junior Lifeguard’ camps at Southwold beach, supported by the RNLI.

Children aged 7-14 (who are able to swim 50m unaided) will be given the chance to become a Junior Lifeguard for the morning.  Based on Surf Life Saving GBs programme, ‘Surf Cadet’ which gives children the tools and knowledge to be safer by the sea, these 1½ hour sessions get the participants paddling rescue boards, body surfing, ‘Beach Flags’ a fast-paced surf lifesaving sport game and learning about rip currents, waves, floating and how to stay safe whilst in and around water.

On average, around 190 people drown on our coasts per year in the UK, something the RNLI want to change. By joining other partners such as Waveney Surf Lifesaving Club and Suffolk Secrets; the RNLI’s core messages can be spread to a much wider audience.

 “Many of the children who holiday with us not are regular beach-goers and can be unaware of the potential dangers of the sea,” says Sally Owen, Brand Marketing Manager for Suffolk Secrets. “We want to ensure that all our guests enjoy their time in Suffolk and stay safe at the seaside.”“We’re thrilled to be working with Waveney Surf Life Saving Club to get this important message across to our guests and the local community.  I’m sure it’s going to be great fun for everyone involved.”

Nick Ayers, Training Officer for Waveney Surf Life Saving Club and RNLI Community Safety Partner North & East will be leading these fun-filled events together with other qualified Waveney SLSC members.

“It’s a great local partnership that has been established here in the coastal town of Southwold, with local business linking up with a local lifesaving club to promote water safety,” says Nick.

The RNLI will be providing additional resources for the children to go home with which, including the 4 steps to saying safe near the water. They are:Step 1) Stop and Think (look for signage, spot the dangers, seek the lifeguards and swim between the Red and Yellow Flags)Step 2) Stay Together (Always go with friends and family and make sure a responsible adult is with you at all times)Step 3) Float (If you do get into trouble or fall in to water unexpectedly simply float on your back and fight your instincts to trash around and panic)Step 4) Call (shout for help, call 999/112 and ask for the relevant emergency services, describe what you see.)

The sessions will take place on Southwold Beach near the South Lifeguard Station at approximately 10.30am on Monday 13th, Wednesday 15th, Monday 20th and Wednesday 22nd August.  12 places are available at each session and must be booked in advance.For more information or to reserve a place at one of the Junior Lifeguard camps visit www.suffolk-secrets.co.uk/lifeguard