Teams of lifeguards are due to take up their posts on the beaches of Brighton and Hove this weekend as summer gets under way.
Brighton and Hove City Council said: “This year’s new recruits are joining Brighton and Hove City Council’s year-round seafront team from Saturday 27 May to Sunday 10 September 2017 to help ensure millions of visitors have a safe and enjoyable time on the city’s award-winning beaches this summer.
“The lifeguards patrol the city’s beaches from the Marina to Hove Lagoon and as far as Saltdean during the summer school break.
“The team of male and female lifeguards, aged between 17 and 55, have all successfully completed a rigorous beach lifeguard qualification and a week-long induction course acquiring a wide range of skills from assessing sea and weather conditions and dealing with beach hazards to carrying out first aid and water rescues.
“Last year the seafront team saved 33 lives and gave help or safety advice to over 27,000 people.
“The city is also celebrating the start of the summer season this week as Brighton Central and Hove Lawns beaches are among 14 of the south east region’s beaches to win prestigious Blue Flag awards while Saltdean beach has scooped a Seaside Award.
“A total of 68 of the UK’s beaches have been awarded Blue Flags in 2017.
“The awards, managed by Keep Britain Tidy, are the quality marks for the UK’s beaches and mean those visiting them can be sure that they are clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as the tough international bathing water quality standards.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: “It is great news for holiday-makers, overseas visitors and businesses that rely on coastal tourism that we have been able to award so many flags this year.
“The success of our beaches in reaching the very high standards demanded by both awards are a real testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches – from beach managers to local people and businesses.
“When you enjoy a day on the beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award, you know you are on one of the safest, cleanest and very best in the country.”
The city’s seafront team manager Chris Ingall said: “Having these awards is great news for Brighton and Hove and very welcome recognition for the council’s Cityclean and seafront teams who work hard year-round to keep our beaches safe and clean.
“With the weather looking good this weekend and into the school half term holiday we’re anticipating a busy time ahead and would ask that as well as having a great time, visitors to the beach behave responsibly by using sunscreen, taking their litter away, and not taking unnecessary risks in the water.
“If in doubt, always swim between the red and yellow flags and if you have any concerns or need advice, please speak to a lifeguard.”
Thankfully. There should have been lifeguards on duty last week when hot, sunny, low tide. Dozens of children in the water near The View; not a lifeguard in sight.
An excellent opportunity for Gerald Wiley to show his mettle.
Thanks Christopher – I was most concerned by MP elect Phelim ealier in the year announcing that he had been for his first swim in the sea as part of the beach tidy up programme, only for the council to issue a warning that is was too early for swimming in the sea due to the risk of hypothermia. You just don’t know who to listen to these days.
But it’s good to see that we will have lifeguards on duty to help protect those who don’t appreciate the dangers of the sea. I’ll be keeping well away as my magnificent physique is bound to frighten the elderly and those of a nervous disposition.
Will you be offering to read extracts from some of your essays to the assembled populace?