Lifeguards return to two Sheppey beaches
Published
Tuesday 2 June, 2026
Updated
Tuesday 2 June, 2026
From Saturday 23 May to Saturday 18 July, RNLI beach lifeguards will patrol Leysdown and Sheerness beach on weekends, before moving to a full daily service on 18 July to 06 September. They will be operating seven days a week between 10am and 6pm.
RNLI lifeguards have been keeping beaches safer since 2001, providing critical support to coastal communities and their visitors, and delivering world class lifesaving. This year marks the 25-year anniversary of RNLI beach lifeguards.
Figures show that in 2025, RNLI lifeguards saved 16 lives across the South East of England, responding to 2,567 incidents and assisting 2,843 people.
The RNLI is a charity that depends on donations to fund the lifeguards’ kit and training. Before a lifeguard sets foot on a beach, they take part in months of training.
From a rigorous fitness test to learning vital casualty care skills, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment in order to save lives at the beach.
Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has also announced the winners of the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for summer 2025, and among them are three bathing beaches on the Isle of Sheppey.
This year the beaches which have met the high standard required to be presented with a Blue Flag, Seaside Award, or both are:
- Sheerness – Blue Flag and Seaside Award
- Leysdown – Seaside Award
- Minster Leas – Seaside Award
Councillor Dolley Wooster, chair of Swale Borough Council’s environmental services and climate change committee, said:
"We are proud to continue our partnership with the RNLI; they are excellent and have helped save countless lives.
"Swale is incredibly lucky to have three award winning bathing beaches on the Isle of Sheppey, and we want residents to enjoy them to the fullest while staying safe.
"Whether lifeguards are present or not, please follow water safety advice at all times, and enjoy our beautiful beaches responsibly."
Beth Williams, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Thanet, said:
"Our lifeguards have been training hard over the last couple of weeks in preparation for the season to come.
"They are looking forward to returning to the beaches, doing what they love, offering safety advice and helping people so that they enjoy their day.
"We welcome you to speak to our lifeguards for advice and information on the local beach environment including tides, sea state and weather conditions.
"We ask everyone to be prepared for whatever water activity you have planned by always carrying a means of calling for help and checking the weather forecast and local hazard signage to understand local risks.
"This year we are proud to celebrate our 25 anniversary of RNLI beach lifeguards and we thank all those whose commitment, training and hard work have helped to keep our beaches safer."
The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by being water smart and following their beach safety advice.
- Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks.
- For activities like paddleboarding or kayaking we recommend you wear a wetsuit, buoyancy aid or lifejacket and carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and keep it on you. Tell someone what you are doing, where you are going and when you expect to return.
- If you are going open water swimming, use a wetsuit to keep you warm, wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float to store personal items including a phone for emergencies.
- If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float.
- In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Across the South East, the RNLI provides lifeguard services across beaches in Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex and Kent. To find your nearest lifeguarded beach, service dates and operating times, visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.
