VOLUNTEERS in Whitsand Bay have explained why they are prepared to look out for people’s welfare in the water – and that the rescues in recent days demonstrate how important it is for the coast to have lifeguard cover.

The Whitsand Bay group Isay that ’more lives were saved than lost’ over the Bank Holiday weekend due to the actions of community lifesavers on the beaches.

Those involved with the South East Cornwall Community Lifesaving Group said that the loss of life on the north coast on Monday was tragic and had left people very shaken – but that the many incidents in the water were ’inevitable due to the lack of lifeguards’.

Meanwhile, in Whitsand Bay on Monday, 15 people were aided by members of the group after getting caught in rip currents.

’This bank holiday weekend has seen the inevitable happen: deaths on our coastline due to the absence of RNLI Lifeguards,’ said a spokesperson for the group.

’This is tragic and everyone has been left shaken. But lives were also saved by those who ran voluntary lookouts on beaches that would normally be lifeguarded. These lookouts are not sanctioned in any way by the RNLI, they are simply the goodwill of many off-duty Lifeguards, Surf Lifesaving Group members and various members of the public.’

While the Community Lifesaving Group in Whitsand Bay said it was prepared to carry on looking out for beachgoers, it also said it could not guarantee to be present at all times, and that its service was in no way a replacement for the RNLI patrols.

’Saving lives is ingrained into all those lifeguards who have been looking out for beach users regardless of the risks from Covid-19 and in the absence of paid employment,’ said the spokesperson.

’ However, this is not sustainable: voluntary lookouts cannot be there everyday.

’We will do as much as we can at the most dangerous and busiest times while there is still no Lifeguard service. These voluntary lookouts are far below the standard of a Lifeguard service, there is very minimal preventative action and we are essentially there to rescue people if needed.

’As well as this, we have no access to the proper rescue equipment or any first aid supplies.’

Whitsand Bay is beautiful, but deceptively dangerous, said the group.

’This bay is made up of four beaches: Tregonhawke, Freathy, Sharrow and Tregantle. On Monday at Tregonhawke 15 people were aided, including a mass rescue of six people which undoubtedly resulted in lives being saved. Among these six were a family who had simply come down to enjoy the beach, they were unaware of the rip current they had entered and this would have been another tragic story if it had not been for the swift intervention from off duty Lifeguards and members of the public.

’On the same day, the neighbouring beaches of Freathy and Tregantle saw seven people aided, including two rescues.

’Yesterday there was a noticeable decrease in the numbers of people at Whitsand Bay, but there was still a rescue at Tregantle and nine bathers aided across Tregonhawke and Freathy.’

’The message from the RNLI is abundantly clear - do not go in the sea unless there are Lifeguards on duty. However, it is inevitable that this message will not reach everyone and will not be adhered to by all those that do hear it.

’As this bank holiday weekend has shown, Whitsand Bay needs all of the safety cover it can get, now and in the future.’