It was a busy weekend for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards in Cornwall after challenging conditions saw them attend to more than 100 rescues, saving three lives.

Watergate Bay was the busiest beach in the area, with lifeguards performing over 50 rescues across the weekend, and saving three lives on Friday, after the trio had been swept out to sea by the rough conditions.

RNLI lifeguards at Porth beach and Fistral beach were also called into action nearly 50 times, including two major first aid incidents.

The weekend was the busiest of the summer for the lifeguards so far, and Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Newquay Lewis Timson commended his team for all their hard work.

He said: ‘The weekend saw lots of lifeguard activity in the area, and I’d like to thank all our team for their hard work, ensuring that people visiting the coast were kept safe.

"Their work is testament to the training the lifeguards undergo before and during the season which allows us to provide the first-class lifesaving service that we do. We would also like to thank all our search and rescue colleagues who work alongside us all weekend to keep Newquay safe.’

RNLI lifeguards are running patrols daily from 10am to 6pm and the RNLI recommends that if you are going to the coast to head to a lifeguarded beach between these hours, swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags and if you do get into trouble in the water, remember to Float to Live: 

  • Tilt your head back with your ears submerged.
  • Try to relax and breathe normally.
  • You can gently move your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to.
  • Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability – and it's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently.
  • Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.