RNLI Lifeguards Northern Ireland

31/08/2026

❗️PEAK SEASON IS OVER 🫡

We are done for the Summer everyone!!!

We are no longer working 7 days a week 🥲

As say goodbye to our 3 lovely beaches in County Down: Cranfield, Tyrella and Murlough.

Alongside 3 beaches up along the North Coast: Downhill, Castlerock and Ballycastle.

We will now only be patrolling September weekends from 10-6 on the following beaches:

Benone
Portstewart
Portrush West
Portrush East
Whiterocks

So to finish off, here are some images of our lovely RNLI lifeguard teams today who have worked so hard this summer as we wish them all the best in their education, careers, travels and whatever else lies ahead!😊

See you in 2027! ❤️💛

Whilst we’re gone,

❗️Always remember…

- Check the weather and tide times before you go.
- If you get caught in a rip current, don’t swim against it – instead, relax and float until you are free from the rip, then swim to safety.
- If you find yourself in danger in the water, relax and float.
- If you see someone else in trouble at the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Share this post to help spread our vital water safety advice.

30/08/2026

What a race! 🏁 After a 400m swim 🏊‍♀️ 800m board paddle 🏄‍♂️ and 2.5k run 🏃 our annual Aquathon is complete till next year… training starts now! Who will take the crown next time 🏅

29/08/2026

Why would he say that… 😨

If you are a paddleboarder and are looking to avoid the wrath of Ollie 🤣 Below are some essential Paddleboarding Safety Tips:

•Wear a buoyancy aid: A personal flotation device keeps you afloat if you fall into the water.

•Stay between the black and white flags: Paddleboards should remain within the designated area marked by the black and white checkered flags and not enter the swimming area.

•Carry a phone: Keep a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch on your person to call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard in an emergency.

•Use the correct leash: Attach an ankle leash for flat water, or a quick-release waist leash if you paddle in tidal or flowing water.

•Avoid offshore winds: Offshore winds blow away from the shore and can easily carry you out to sea.

•Check the forecast: Monitor local weather and tide conditions before heading out.

•Know your limits: Stay close to shore and turn back if conditions worsen.

05/08/2026

RNLI brings lifeguarded beach to London as it celebrates 25 years of lifeguarding service 🇬🇧💂🏻

We’re so proud that both Alex and Maria represented our region for this!

The event, held on International Lifeguard Appreciation Day, celebrates 25 years of RNLI lifeguards keeping people safer on beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, while encouraging people in London to follow vital water safety advice during the peak summer season.

Visitors to the event can see lifesaving kit and equipment normally found on busy beaches. The charity’s lifeguards will swap sandy beaches for the bustle of the capital as they descend on the city, bringing with them a beach lifeguard unit, lifeguard vehicle, jet ski, rescue board and all the equipment they need to keep people safe when they are patrolling beaches.

Since the charity’s beach lifeguard service launched in 2001, RNLI lifeguards have saved 2,165 lives, aided more than 459,000 people, responded to over 333,000 incidents and carried out more than 48 million preventative actions.

Peter Dawes, RNLI Lifeguard General Manager, said: ‘We are so excited to bring the beach to London, with our lifeguards swapping sandy beaches for the capital city as we celebrate 25 years of our lifeguard service.

‘It’s so important that people take steps to keep themselves safe when they head to the coast this summer, like visiting a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags.’

01/08/2026

31/07/2026

Maria Dillon & Alex Ostropyskyy representing us in Kensignton Palace!

31/07/2026

A father rescued from a rip current in Portrush four years ago has returned to Whiterocks today as the RNLI marks 25 years of keeping beaches safer by delivering a world class lifeguard service to coastal communities and their visitors. Today (Friday 31 July) is International Lifeguard Appreciation Day.

When the charity launched a pilot scheme in England in the year 2000, the aim was to provide a joined-up service to save more lives. Today, RNLI RNLI lifeguards patrol more than 245 beaches.

The lifeguard service was introduced in Northern Ireland in 2011 on beaches along the North Coast at Benone, Downhill, Castlerock, Portstewart Strand, Portrush West, Portrush East and Whiterocks and since then, has expanded to include Ballycastle as well as Cranfield, Tyrella and Murlough in County Down.

During that time, lifeguards have responded to 2,300 incidents and made 500 rescue efforts. This summer, a 90-strong team is busy delivering the service and providing daily patrols.

Among those rescued over the last 15 years are Andrew Todd and his two children Issy and Zack. The family from Helen’s Bay in County Down were visiting Whiterocks Beach on a warm summer’s day in 2022 when they got into difficulty.

Recalling his rescue, Andrew, a strong sea kayaker, who is no stranger to water safety, says he knew when he arrived that the swell was immense: ‘The water was rough with more than 2m-high surf and powerful waves. I have a lifelong respect of the water and I’m very aware of the dangers so when my children came along, I was determined to instil in them the same respect, and an understanding of the power and wonder of the ocean. I taught them to swim in the sea, how to use the currents and what to do if they’re ever in a rip.’

Before everyone headed into the sea, Andrew talked about the RNLI’s red and yellow flags and pointed out a rip current to the left of them: ‘There was a very strong flow of water running along the beach feeding the rip current,’ says Andrew. ‘We were very clear on staying between the flags for our whole session. We carefully chose a safe spot and made our way into the water and started to jump the waves, paddle and swim.’

The group h