Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat Partners with East Devon District Council to Launch Summer Lifeguard Service for Sidmouth Beach

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat is proud and excited to announce that it will be providing a Lifeguard Service on Sidmouth beach, starting from 19th July this year.

The service has been made possible by a partnership with East Devon District Council.

“We’ll have a team of lifeguards on duty from 10:00 until 18:00 every day from Monday, 19th July 2021 until Sunday, 5th September covering the school summer holidays, which is the busiest time for Sidmouth Beach,” says Phil Shepperd, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Sidmouth Lifeboat.

During this summer season, qualified Surf Lifeguards will monitor and guard the area of Sidmouth Beach between the Eastern side of Chit Rocks and Bedford Steps. The new service meant Sidmouth Lifeboat was on the lookout for the right people to join the new team of Lifeguards.

“We put the call out for new recruits on social media and instantly had an influx of applications, mostly from local young people, which was brilliant to see,” says Andrew Dean, Lifeboat Trustee and Lifeguard Project Manager.

“Successful applicants will attend a week’s training with us from 21st June, to obtain the SLSGB Surf Lifeguard qualification, followed by a two-day Casualty Care and Advanced First Aid course to make sure they are ready to manage any situation that may arise on the beach this summer”.

The Lifeguard Service will be located on Sidmouth main beach, just below the far western end of the Esplanade, and will be fully kitted out, with a custom-built trailer due to be completed in time for the July start date.

As well as working alongside Sidmouth Lifeboat, the Lifeguard Service is also liaising closely with the RNLI in developing comprehensive operational procedures and risk assessments. 

“As we are starting from scratch this year, it is important to learn as much as we can from both organisations’ experiences,” says Mr. Dean.

The Lifeguard Service is provided by Sidmouth Lifeboat on a voluntary basis, as part of the independent charity’s remit to promote safety at sea, on the beach and along the coastline.