AN EVENT which promotes beach safety returned to the Isle of Wight earlier this month.

Last year's Beach Rookie Lifeguard Programme was unable to run due to Covid-19 restrictions, with organisers delighted to run it again in 2021.

The Beach Lifeguard Rookies Week ran from August 2 to 6.

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A total of 35 children aged eight to fifteen participated in lifesaving activities, ranging from learning about rip tides, CPR and first aid to practical elements in the pool and sea, learning how to recognise a casualty and how to perform a rescue.

The week was instructed by beach manager Todd Miller, Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS) trainer Becca Woodford and Francesca Trotman of the NHS Ambulance Service, with the trio all part of Ryde Beach Lifeguards.

At the end of the week participants were awarded RLSS Rookie Lifeguard Awards, ranging from Bronze 1 through to Gold 3.

In addition, rookies received more than 60 specialism awards in first aid, beach safety and communication.

The week was made possible through the support of Wight Aid, MC Services and the Waterside Community Trust.