Lifeguards return to Brighton beach for Bank Holiday weekend

It could be a wash out at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend, as a warning for rain issued by the Met Office for Saturday, although the weather is expected to pick up by the afternoon.

Nevertheless, Brighton and Hove's lifeguards will be on patrol from Hove Lagoon to Brighton Marina from Saturday (May 26) until September. In the school holidays there will also be lifeguards stationed at Saltdean.

The city council said 24 new recruits will join the seafront team this year, after 'rigorous' training in assessing sea and weather conditions and dealing with beach hazards, to carrying out first aid and water rescues.

During an average year, lifeguards carry out 100 water rescues, administer first aid to 250 beach goers, give safety advice to 20,000 people and reunite hundreds of children with their families, according to the council said.

Chris Ingall, the city’s seafront team manager, said: “With the weather looking good this weekend and into the school half term holidays 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 the lifeguard.”

Easy to spot in their red and yellow uniforms, the lifeguards will be on duty each day from 9.30am to 7pm.

Cllr Alan Robins chair of the council’s tourism committee, said: “Once again we are delighted to have recruited a dedicated team of lifeguards to patrol our popular beaches.

“The new lifeguards are committed to supporting our regular seafront officers in ensuring the millions of visitors from all over the world who flock to our beaches every summer return home safe and happy.”