How confident are you in the water? Perhaps you are practically a fish, slipping into the surf with ease – or do you prefer to cling to the support of terra firma?

If you’re not an experienced sea user, our feature on page 34 will help translate what you’ll find if you do visit our shores. Of course, when RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards venture into the water it’s usually in the least hospitable of conditions (23–29 and 31) so their training and equipment must be second to none – perhaps even award winning (18).

Unlike modern lifeboat volunteers, lifeguards tend to have virtually grown up in the water. The long tradition of surf lifesaving in the UK has brought to the RNLI some astounding skills and commitment (6), epitomised by Chris Boundy and John Dugard who were recently awarded Silver Medals for Gallantry (12).

The Lifeboat production team and colleagues recently tried for ourselves some basic lifeguarding skills when we attended an RNLI Hit the surf day (pictured). This educational beach safety experience is usually run for children but was an eye opener for us all, from landlubber to sailor.

For those of you who feel thoroughly at home on or in the water, you may remember I hinted at something special brewing for you in the RNLI membership department. Have a look at page 16 for details – and tell your friends!