The RNLI’s lifeguards will return to Whitby and Sandsend beaches this weekend for the summer season.
Lifeguards will patrol six designated beaches in total across North Yorkshire, including Whitby and Sandsend, over the first three weekends in May, starting on Saturday May 2.
After this, lifeguards will be on duty daily, 10am to 6pm, until Sunday September 6.
Runswick Bay beach will be added to the patrolled beach service from July 11.
Other beaches which will be served by the RNLI over summer are Cayton Bay, Filey, Scarborough North Bay and Scarborough South Bay.
The lifeguarding team in the North have been working to complete vital training and are looking forward to returning to the beaches full time in what is the RNLI’s 25th year of lifeguard beach patrol.
RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, Andrew Jamieson said: “We always advise people to visit a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags. This year sees the RNLI lifeguarding service welcome in its 25-year anniversary, and we are thrilled to patrol several beaches in North Yorkshire while this important milestone is celebrated.
“It is great to see visitors enjoying the coast with the extra peace of mind of knowing that we are there should they need us.”
As RNLI lifeguards need to be physically on the beach during the patrolled hours to respond to emergencies and prevent accidents, the RNLI can’t rely on volunteers to provide this cover seven days a week so local authorities part fund the RNLI’s costs.
North Yorkshire Council Leader, Councillor Carl Les, said: “As we prepare to welcome families and other beach users to our much-loved beaches over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend and the summer months, we urge everyone to pay close attention to safety signage and follow any advice or warning information provided by RNLI lifeguards.
“RNLI lifeguards are highly trained in all aspects of beach safety and are always happy to answer questions or offer expert guidance, so please don’t hesitate to speak to them if you need advice.”
