LIFEGUARDS responded to more than 300 incidents on Jersey beaches last year, the RNLI has revealed as Islanders flock to the Island’s coastline for the Easter holidays.
The latest statistics from the charity show it responded to over 600 incidents across the Channel Islands.
There were 332 incidents that lifeguards attended in Jersey, involving 434 people, with two life-saving incidents.
Lifeguards have spent several weeks undergoing “rigorous training” to keep beachgoers safe for the busy Easter holidays period.
Aaron White, seasonal lifeguard supervisor for RNLI Jersey, said his team had been working closely with government and communities to ensure all six beach units were ready and equipped.
Mr White confirmed that St Ouen lifeguards will be moving back into their newly refurbished lifeguard station at Le Braye after the building’s roof was torn off during Storm Ciarán.
He said that Islanders planning on visiting St Ouen’s Bay this Easter should enter the water around Le Braye as a lifeguard will be on patrol daily.
Mr White also reminded beachgoers that sunny weather does not mean warm water at this time of year.
“Good weather would be most welcome,” he said. “However it’s important to remember that the water is usually at its coldest at this time of the year which increases the risk of cold-water shock.”
RNLI lifeguards will patrol Le Braye daily for the Easter holidays until Monday 21 April from 10am to 6pm. They will also patrol the area from 26 to 27 April, before resuming daily patrols from Saturday 3 May for the summer season.
Lifeguards will be at El Tico and Watersplash in St Ouen’s Bay, Plémont, Grève de Lecq and St Brelade’s Bay daily from Saturday 24 May.
