A family of RNLI beach lifeguards all in the same team, including a father, son and daughter, will be saving lives at sea on the Pembrokeshire coast this summer.

Father, son and daughter Tom, Cai and Poppy Owen are all RNLI beach lifeguards on the Pembrokeshire coast. The family trio all began their lifeguarding journey at numerous stages, with dad Tom Owen joining the North Pembrokeshire Team in 2022.

Cai, now aged 19, followed in his father’s footsteps joining the same lifeguard team in 2023 to help keep his local beaches safe alongside his dad. Likewise daughter Poppy, 17, Cai’s younger sister, joined the team last year when she turned 16.

At 52-years-old, Tom is also the eldest lifeguard in the North Pembrokeshire Team. Tom has years of lifeguarding experience behind him having started before the RNLI service rolled out in Pembrokeshire in 2008.

“I first had the opportunity to work as a beach lifeguard for the local council in 1992 before the RNLI’s lifeguard service was rolled out in 2008. My interest grew whilst in Australia, so I spent a couple of summers out there volunteering mainly for surf lifesaving clubs,” he said.

“Joining the RNLI has always appealed to me and now that my children are old enough, I took the opportunity to give it a go. It’s also lovely working alongside my kids, I’m really proud of what they have achieved, although I try not to embarrass them too much!”

Poppy and Cai have grown up on the coast of Pembrokeshire, and from a young age they’ve spent countless hours in and around the water. Both have swum competitively for many years, competing in club and county competitions, building fantastic swimming skills that are essential in lifeguarding. Cai and Poppy are also surfers, with Poppy competing for Wales in the Junior Santa Cruz Eurosurf in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Cai said: “My most memorable lifeguard shift with my dad was when we cycled to work together, but on the way home, my bike got a puncture. Dad cycled home and I had to walk back. But I really enjoy cycling to work in the summer with dad and to have the opportunity to be active and help others.”

Poppy continued: “I really enjoyed my first season working on the beaches last year and can’t wait for this one to begin. It’s hopefully going to be a great summer working alongside my brother and dad and in a special year as the charity celebrates the 25th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards.”

Tom added: “I hope other people my age see that lifeguarding isn’t just for youngsters. If you’re still fit and healthy and love being at the beach, just give it a go, you won’t regret it.”

In Pembrokeshire, RNLI beach lifeguards have saved 164 lives, leading the number of lives saved in Wales. New figures also show that RNLI lifeguards in Pembrokeshire have aided a further 15,513 people and rescued 1,799 since the service began in 2008.