The UK’s drowning prevention charity provides lifeguards to assist the swimmers at this year’s Great Swims, including the upcoming Great East Swim at Alton.

As Europe’s biggest open water swim series kicks off, Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) lifeguards will be on hand to keep swimmers safe and provide support at all five UK wide events, including Alton.

The Great Swim Series is the UK’s biggest exhibition of open water swimming, and gives people of all swimming abilities the opportunity to swim in beautiful lakes, lochs and docklands across the country. Lifeguards from RLSS UK have volunteered and will be on hand to supervise and support swimmers, and to ensure a great time in a safe environment.

Alton Water Park will host the Great East Swim on Saturday 21st June 2014, and supporters are welcome to attend and cheer the swimmers on. This swim coincides with Drowning Prevention Week, the national campaign from RLSS UK to raise awareness of drowning and save lives.

Further Great Swims will be taking place on the below dates:

• Great Manchester Swim (Salford Quays) – Saturday 19th July 2014
• Great Scottish Swim (Loch Lomond) – Saturday 23rd August 2014
• Great London Swim (Millwall Dock) – Saturday 30th August 2014

Adrian Lole, Director of Lifesaving at RLSS UK said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Great Swims again this year, and our lifeguards have been training hard to support the event and keep people safe with their expertise.

“RLSS UK is grateful to the many volunteer lifeguards who give up their time to support and patrol these events and are looking forward to volunteering their time to support the swimmers involved.

“Alton is a fantastic location in which to enjoy open water swimming in a lifeguarded environment with safety provision and we wish all of the swimmers the best of luck.”

Lifeguards at Alton will also be supporting RLSS UK, the drowning prevention charity’s, Drowning Prevention Week, which runs from June 21st to 29th this year.