Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club hosts Newfoundland water rescue dogs

Junior members of Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club were treated to a demonstration of the work of Newfoundland water rescue dogs Bandit, Tahoe and Lula recently.

The exercise was hosted by the local lifesaving club at the seaside town’s harbour beach on Saturday, November 7

Volunteer Lifesavers Nicola Tinsley and Angelo Fecci entered the water and simulated a number of real-world scenarios for specialist dogs to deal with under the watchful eye of their handler Cheryl Ann Payne while local children watched from the shoreline.

After the demonstration the children had the opportunity to meet and learn more about the Newfoundland breed and how they are trained to save lives. The dogs also helped deliver vital water safety key messages to the assembled crowd.

“Bandit, Taho and Lula are trained in water rescue to help promote water safety. Whilst on holiday they joined in with the Tenby Surf lifesavers to undertake some sea training - and show how they can rescue people,” said owner Cheryl.

This is the fourth year that the dogs – part of NEWFS IN ACTION - have visited the coastal town and undertaken training with local life savers having previously trained alongside the club’s senior and beach lifeguard members.

Lifeguard Trainer Angelo said. “We are very proud of our water safety education programs here in Tenby and opportunities like this allow local children to experience something truly remarkable, while learning vital safety messages in a way they are unlikely to forget.”

Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club, founded in 1993, is a volunteer run, donation funded local independent charity whose mission is to save life, whether by prevention or by rescue.

If you are interested in learning more about the charity and ways in which you can support them, you can contact them via: [email protected]