This Easter, families across Scotland have a chance to meet real lifeguards and lifeboat crews while learning skills that could save lives. The RNLI is hosting two special event days on the Scottish coast, bringing water safety education directly to the public before the busy summer season kicks off.
The events are completely free and open to everyone, featuring hands-on demonstrations, CPR training, and tours of working lifeboat stations. It’s a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of Scotland’s most dedicated water rescue teams.
Easter Events Bring Lifesaving Training to Two Scottish Beaches
The RNLI lifeguards in Scotland are rolling out special Easter holiday events that combine education, fun and real-world rescue demonstrations. On April 15, visitors can head to Broughty Ferry beach and lifeboat station in Dundee. The following day on April 16, the action moves to Silver Sands beach in Aberdour along with RNLI Kinghorn lifeboat station.
Each day is split into two sessions. The morning from 10am to 1pm focuses on beach safety with lifeguards delivering Water Smart sessions every 30 minutes. Attendees will see live demonstrations of Float to Live technique, which teaches people how to survive in cold water by staying calm and floating on their back. Families can also try on lifeguard equipment and learn about rescue gear used in real emergencies.
The afternoon sessions from 2pm to 4pm shift to the lifeboat stations where visitors meet volunteer crew members, tour the actual rescue boats and understand how lifeguards and lifeboat teams work together during emergencies. There’s no registration needed, making it accessible for spontaneous family visits during the school holidays.
Why These Events Matter for Water Safety Awareness
Scotland’s coastline is beautiful but demands respect. Every year, countless people need assistance in the water, and prevention through education saves lives before emergencies happen. The RNLI has been working in Scotland for over a decade, expanding their presence significantly across the east coast.
In 2025 alone, RNLI lifeguards in Scotland responded to 191 separate incidents and helped 200 people directly. Beyond beach patrols, they’ve also reached thousands more through school visits and preventative education programs. These Easter events continue that mission of getting safety information to as many people as possible before summer brings larger crowds to Scottish beaches.
Iona Hamilton, who coordinates water safety delivery for the RNLI, explains the broader goal. “These Easter events are a brilliant way for people, both young and old, to learn about water safety. Ultimately, we want everyone to enjoy the water and be equipped with the knowledge that will keep themselves and others safe.”
Meet the Lifeguards Protecting Scotland’s Coasts All Summer
The faces behind the operation represent dedicated professionals who chose this career because they believe in saving lives. Kelly Bowler, a Lifeguard Supervisor organizing these Easter events, didn’t start out as a typical lifeguard candidate. She discovered her passion for water rescue through surfing.
At 27, inspired by watching lifeguards work on beaches and in the waves, Kelly joined the RNLI. Seven years later, she’s a supervisor leading a team and can’t imagine doing anything else. “Being a lifeguard is the best job in the world. You’re helping people, spreading lifesaving advice, saving lives at sea and every day is different,” she says.
What makes Kelly’s commitment even more remarkable is her double duty. When she leaves her lifeguard position, she puts on a pager to respond as a volunteer crew member at RNLI Kinghorn lifeboat station. “When I leave work, my pager goes on,” she explains. This captures the spirit of the RNLI, where staff often work multiple roles across beach and sea rescue operations.
Eight Scottish Beaches Now Patrolled by RNLI Lifeguards
Scotland’s lifeguard presence has grown significantly since the program started in 2013 at Coldingham beach. Today, lifeguards patrol eight beaches along the east coast throughout summer months. The coverage includes Coldingham Bay, Silver Sands at Aberdour, Burntisland, Leven, Elie, St Andrews East Sands, St Andrews West Sands, and Broughty Ferry.
This expansion reflects the RNLI’s commitment to preventing water incidents before they become emergencies. Lifeguards don’t just respond to drowning situations. They teach proper swimming techniques, educate about rip currents, demonstrate rescue equipment, and build water confidence in young people through school programs.
The lifeboat stations themselves have deep historical roots in Scottish maritime rescue. Broughty Ferry station, established in 1830, holds the distinction of being Scotland’s first inshore lifeboat station. Kinghorn station, operating since 1965, represents a newer addition to the network but plays a critical role in protecting the central Scottish coast.
These Easter events provide a window into how these organizations function year-round, keeping volunteers trained and public awareness high about water safety during the season when beaches see their heaviest usage.
As Easter brings families back to Scottish beaches for holidays and fresh air, the RNLI events offer something beyond typical tourist activities. They provide genuine knowledge that could make the difference in an emergency. Whether you’re a regular beach visitor or someone who rarely thinks about water safety, meeting these lifeguards and crew members and learning their techniques is an investment in your family’s wellbeing. The events are free, accessible, and designed with everyone from small children to adults in mind.
