By Ruth Davies
Whether the surf's up or it's
family sandcastle time,
visitors and locals are being
helped to stay and play safe
on the National Park's
beautiful beaches by Britain's
leading lifesaving charity.
Last summer, Pembrokeshire
became the first county in Wales to
have teams of trained RNLI lifeguards
on 13 of its beaches - from Poppit
Sands in the north to Tenby in the
south.
RNLI lifeboat crews have been
saving lives at sea since the charity
was founded in 1824. Its lifeguards
are a more recent addition, en-
hancing the charity's ability to
provide a seamless rescue service
from the beach to the open sea.
In summer, over 40 RNLI
lifeguards - kitted out in eye-
catching red and yellow - take to the
beaches in a partnership with
Pembrokeshire County Council,
which previously provided the
service.
Despite a wet and windy
summer, they were called upon over
500 times to put their training into
action, helping 561 people - from
swimmers and surfers caught in rip
tides to lost children, as well as
organising Hit the Surf safety
sessions for local schoolchildren.
Senior lifeguard Sophie Stanford
will work her fifth season on
Pembrokeshire beaches this year.
"We are all put through a demanding
two-week training course and the
seniors also undergo a three-day first-
aid course which enables them to use
the spine board and defibrillator that
is at every lifeguard station," said 21-
year-old Sophie, who is a completing
a degree in sports science and
adventure sports at Pembrokeshire
College.
"I love the challenge of the
lifesaving work and being out in the
open air, and the way that every day
brings a different situation to deal
with."
The RNLI presence means
Pembrokeshire beach-goers can enjoy
the seaside in safety, and it also
underlines Pembrokeshire's
commitment to ensure that the
county's magnificent beaches live up
to the high expectations of the
people who use them.
Charles Mathieson, the Park
Authority's Head of Recreation and
Tourism, said: "The change of
lifeguarding to the RNLI brings in
new opportunities for Pembrokeshire
beaches to be managed to
nationally-established standards."
RNLI lifeguards are looking
forward to their second season
on 13 Pembrokeshire beaches this
summer, until September 6th.
Here's where to find them and
when their service starts:
� Tenby South and Whitesands -
from May 16th
� Amroth, Saundersfoot, Tenby
North, Tenby Castle, Broad
Haven, Newgale South,
Newgale North, Newport
Sands, Poppit Sands - from
June 27th
� Lydstep and Dale
- from July 11th
For beach safety advice...
Visit your nearest Tourist Information
Centre and pick up the leaflet Enjoying
Pembrokeshire's Beaches, produced by
the National Park Authority and
Pembrokeshire County Council
click on
www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk
or www.rnli.org.uk
And remember the RNLI's safety tips.
44
Enjoying Pembrokeshire's beachesEnjoying Pembrokeshire's beaches
The Coach House at St. Dogmaels
Abbey is Pembrokeshire's newest and
most innovative Heritage Centre. The
museum uses the latest technology to
tell the story of nearly 2000 years of
turbulent history. Entry to the abbey
is free. Our cafe produces freshly
prepared locally sourced food and we
also have a beautiful gift shop.
The Coach House � St. Dogmaels
SA43 3DX � Tel: (01239)615389
www.welshabbey.org.uk
Play it safe by our streams
Just like beaches, streams and rivers are a great attraction in
Pembrokeshire: they're teeming with wildlife and they're brilliant places
for family fun.
To enjoy our streams and rivers safely, including those that run onto
the beaches, follow advice given on warning signs.
While it might be tempting to drink the water, it may not be clean - so
never take the risk. You should also wash your hands after playing in the
water. Remember too that even in small streams, currents can be strong -
please take care.
Paws for
thought
We welcome you
and your best friend
on Pembrokeshire's
beaches, but please
consider other beach users and
clean up after your dog.
Most beaches here welcome
dogs all year round, but there are
restrictions in the busiest months.
Whitesands, Tenby North and
Tenby Harbour have a total ban
on dogs from May 1st to
September 30th, while partial
restrictions apply at Poppit,
Newgale, Broad Haven, Dale,
Lydstep, Tenby Castle, Tenby
South, Saundersfoot and Amroth.
There are notices on all dog
restricted beaches and in the
summer, extra signs identify dog
restriction areas. For more
information log onto
www.visitpembrokeshire.com
DANGER
LIFEGUARD
PATROLLED
WATERCRAFT
USERS
OFFSHORE WIND
Poppit Sands, near Cardigan
�EricLees
At the ready: Over 40 RNLI lifeguards are patrolling
Pembrokeshire beaches this summer. Picture: RNLI
RNLI's top 10 safety tips:
1. Always swim at a lifeguarded beach
2. Swim between the red and yellow flags
3. Never swim alone
4. Know your beach safety flags
Red = danger. Do not enter the water
Red and yellow = lifeguard patrolled area. Safest
area to swim, body board and use inflatables
Black and white = lifeguard zoned area for
watercraft use. Never swim or body board here
Orange windsock = indicator of offshore wind
conditions.
5. NEVER use an inflatable when the sock is flying
Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas
6. If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air
and shout for help
7. If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard.
If you can't see a lifeguard call 999 or 112 and ask
for the Coastguard
8. Find out about the beach you're going to before
you visit
9. Check tide times before you go � See page 42.
10. Read and obey local hazard signs

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