Current UKPSA UK tour leader, Alan Stokes is the latest member of the surf community to back the RNLI’s current fund raising campaign, encouraging Surfers to show their support for their local lifeguards. “The two disciplines are so similar and occupy the same environment, it’s seems natural” he said, adding “If you’ve grown up surfing, you’d probably make a great Lifeguard.”

The RNLI is a charity, and provides the training and equipment needed to put lifeguards on more than 140 UK beaches, with your donations they can achieve their aim to cover more. Many of these lifeguards are surfers themselves and do the job through their love of the ocean.

You can back the campaign by picking up a red charity leash string, available from a growing number of surf shops who understand the importance of the job these guys do. Don’t just buy them for your board; use it as a keyring or wristband or any other way in which you can demonstrate your support. It’s a simple gesture that will help to save lives.