RNLI lifeguards at Lowestoft beach team up with RNLI Lowestoft

At around 5:30pm, the lifeguard team at Lowestoft beach responded to an incident concerning two young bodyboarders after monitoring that the duo were struggling to return to shore.

The bodyboarders had paddled out 500m to a sandbank, before struggling to get back to shore against the strong current due to exhaustion.

Lifeguard duo Jamie Goodhead and Nicko Moore paddled out on rescue boards before assisting the two bodyboarders back to shore.

Only minutes later, another group of bodyboarders got into difficulty around the sandbank, so the charity’s lifeguards radioed for assistance from RNLI Lowestoft.

RNLI Lowestoft launched their inshore lifeboat and returned the group safely to shore. No medical attention was required for any of the bodyboarders.

Lifeguard Supervisor Arna Tolliday praised the bodyboarders for visiting a lifeguarded beach: ‘It was great that all casualties chose to visit a lifeguarded beach. As soon as they found themselves in trouble, our lifeguards with the support of RNLI Lowestoft were on hand to help.

'Strong currents can quickly tire you out when in the water, leaving you struggling for breath and quickly exhausting you. If you find yourself struggling against the current, follow our Float to Live advice.’

If you find yourself struggling in the water, follow the Float to Live advice:

· Fight your instinct to thrash around

· Lean back, extend your arms and legs

· If you need to, gently move your arms and legs to float

· Float until you can control your breathing

· Only then call for help or swim to safety

If you find yourself or anyone else in trouble in and around the water when visiting a lifeguarded beach, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

For more information on how to stay safe this summer, please visit: RNLI Beach Safety – Top Five Tips To Stay Safe By The Sea

Notes to editors

RNLI Lowestoft lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: Lowestoft South Beach - Lifeguarded beaches (rnli.org) or Lowestoft North Beach - Lifeguarded beaches (rnli.org)

Lifeguard Supervisor Arna Tolliday is available for interview.

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For more information, please contact Derry Salter, RNLI Media Engagement Placement on: 07890 402106 or email: [email protected]

Or, the RNLI Press Office available 24/7 on: 01202 336789 or email: [email protected]

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 142,700 lives.

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