Campaign makes waves

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 23, 2009

YOUNGSTERS hit the waves as part of a new campaign to help them stay safe on their surfboards.

Pupils from 15 primary schools in Sunderland, Houghton and Washington took part in the RNLI's Hit The Surf programme on Seaburn beach.

The campaign is aiming to cut the number of sea accidents involving young people.

Children as young as eight were put in potentially life-threatening situations in the water and shown how to safely negotiate them.

Katherine Green, from Richard Avenue Primary School, in Sunderland, said: "This was the perfect opportunity to build up our water confidence as well as teaching us beach and water safety skills." RNLI beach safety manager Dave Gorman said: "One of the main points we press at Hit The Surf is to make sure the kids are swimming in the right area, which is between the red and yellow flags on the beach.

"This area is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards and as this is the first year that the charity is providing lifeguarding services on the beaches at Seaburn and Roker, we are confident it will raise awareness even more."

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SAFETY LESSONS: Pupils from Richard Avenue Primary School, Sunderland, learned about hazards on the beach and in the sea