North Fistral has welcomed back an extensive RNLI lifeguard service.
From 10am every day the lifeguards set up on Fistral and provide monitored surfing and bathing areas on the beach. Below are the flags that are used at all RNLI beaches to designate the different areas for activities at the beach.
BATHING AREA: The red & yellow striped flags will be seen at all of Cornwall’s lifeguarded beaches. This is the designated bathing area for swimming and bodyboarding.
SURFING AREA: The black & white checkered flags is the area for all other watercraft including surfboards and SUPS.
RED FLAG: This is used when conditions in the water are deemed too dangerous / not safe for water users. Two examples may be if the surf is too big, or if there is thick sea mist which restricts visibility too much.
The RNLI provide a comprehensive cover at Fistral. All their lifeguards are qualified in lifesaving and casualty care, highly trained, strong and fit. All are able to swim 200m in under 3½ minutes, and run 200m on sand in under 40 seconds. The majority of the lifeguard’s work is preventing an incidents by monitoring conditions and setting up flagged areas on the beach.