​RNLI help kids to get water smart

At the start of March, lifeguards in Scotland began taking the programme into primary schools, helping young people build water safety skills ahead of the warmer months.

The Water Smart sessions equip participants with key water safety knowledge to help keep them safe in and around the water.

The free sessions, led by RNLI lifeguards, teach young people lifesaving skills such as how to Float to Live, what to do if they see someone in trouble, the role of lifeguards, and introduce the wider work of the RNLI.

The sessions are designed for ages 7-11.

In 2025, the programme reached around 21,000 primary school students across 115 schools, predominantly in areas close to RNLI lifeguarded beaches, such as the Berwickshire station at Eyemouth.

Due to past success and impact, the team are now extending their reach beyond primary schools into youth groups and the wider community.

Lifeguard Supervisor Kelly Bowler says: “The main role of a lifeguard is preventative work. Teaching water safety to people at a young age makes a huge difference.

“It keeps children safer, reduces the situations us lifeguards later respond to, and helps key safety messages spread to the young people’s families and into the community.

“We’ve seen directly how much these sessions benefit primary school children, and we’re excited to bring that same lifesaving knowledge to more young people and communities.”

Water Safety Education Manager Ray Cunningham says: “With this year being the 25th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards on UK beaches, it feels like the right time to grow the programme and make more people aware of this important part of our work.

“We encourage any interested organisation to get in touch to arrange a lifesaving session.”

Delivery of the Water Smart sessions will go on until June 18.

To request a session contact [email protected].