RNLI announces coastal swim series starting in Falmouth this spring

The RNLI will run six open-water coastal swims across the South West from May to September 2026, beginning with the Castle to Castle Swim in Falmouth on May 23. Money raised will go to lifeguard services and volunteer lifeboat crews.

The RNLI is inviting swimmers to take part in a series of six open-water coastal swims across the South West between May and September 2026. The events are presented as fundraisers to support lifeguard services and volunteer lifeboat crews. The series begins in Falmouth and includes established and new coastal routes. The RNLI runs a 24-hour search and rescue service and operates across the UK and Ireland. Event details: - The swim series comprises six coastal events running from May through September 2026. - The series opens with the Castle to Castle Swim in Falmouth on May 23. - Other scheduled events include the Buoy to Beacon Swim Run in St Agnes on June 7, Around The Mount at St Michael's Mount on July 11, and the new Mullion Island Swim on July 12. - Further swims are the Clovelly Swim on August 2 and the Lyme Splash Swim from Lyme Regis to Charmouth on September 6. - The RNLI has 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland and relies on voluntary donations to fund its service; the charity says it has saved more than 146,700 lives since 1824. Summary: The swim series is intended to raise funds for lifeguard services and volunteer lifeboat crews while offering coastal routes across the South West. The first event is scheduled for May 23 in Falmouth, with the series continuing through to September 6, 2026.