School Children make a splash at Wales' first Swim Safe event at Rhyl RNLI

Lifeguards from Rhyl and Prestatyn beaches came together at the first ever Swim Safe event at a Rhyl lifeboat station, teaching groups of 25 schoolchildren throughout the week how to stay safe in and around the water.

As part of the event, children were shown the different lifeguard flags, how to signal for help if they or someone gets into trouble and how to use the RNLI’s ‘float to live’ technique as well as many other survival skills.

Swim Safe co-ordinator Tom Farrington said: “For our first event at Rhyl, Swim Safe has been a great success.

“We have worked with five school groups in the community, teaching children how to respect the water.

“It was great to see the children taking part on their local lifeguarded beach.”

The event, which is in its sixth year in England, was run in partnership between the RNLI and Swim England in partnership with Swim Wales and provided six sessions to Rhyl schools Ysgol Llewelyn, Ysgol Mair and Ysgol Emmanuel as well as pupils from Ysgol Melyd in Meliden and groups made up of home-schooled children

The free sessions were open to pupils aged from seven to 14, who were already competent swimmers.

They were given wetsuits and swim hats as well as a free goody bag and T-shirt.

Emma Parry, Ysgol Llewelyn physical education co-ordinator, said: “The Swim Safe sessions have been a wonderful and unique opportunity for our children.

“Swimming itself is an important life skill, but to have the chance to swim safely in open water is great.

“The children have learnt all about the safety flags, how to call for help and to keep themselves from danger.

“The group thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we look forward to working with the RNLI in the future.”

Rhyl Lifeboat coxswain Martin Jones said: “Rhyl RNLI is really proud to be hosting this event.

“The volunteer crew here at the station have enjoyed helping out our lifeguards who have worked really hard to put Swim Safe together this week.”