More than a thousand children heading to Devon coast to learn vital sea safety skills

More than a thousand schoolchildren will be heading to Exmouth seafront this summer to learn how to enjoy the water safely and the role they can play in protecting the coast.

Held between 8 and 23 June 2026, The Sideshore Project is a water safety and wellbeing programme in partnership with the University of Exeter, RNLI, Sea Swim Devon, and Charlie’s Beach School.

Founded in 2022, the project now works with 30 primary schools across East Devon and Exeter annually, and this year will deliver vital sea swimming and environmental education to around 1,200 children at Sideshore in Exmouth.

Bernie Rhodes, co-founder of The Sideshore Project and Activity and Project Manager at Sideshore, said: “We want to give children confidence in the water and a lifelong respect for the sea that could one day save lives – but in a fun and engaging way. Through practical, hands-on sessions and unforgettable experiences on the beach, the project helps children understand the environment they’re in and how to prevent avoidable tragedies, while also developing a lasting sense of care for the coast.”

With drowning remaining one of the leading causes of accidental death among children in the UK, the programme addresses a vital need in coastal communities. Delivered on and around Exmouth’s shoreline, the project uses the coast as a living classroom for sessions on understanding tides and weather, to recognising hazards and knowing what to do in an emergency.

Children will also learn about local marine ecosystems and the impact of human behaviour on coastal habitats.

Robert Ellis, Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology at the University of Exeter, said: “Having respect for our coasts is critical, not just for our own safety but for the safety of these vitally important habitats too. Estuaries are some of the most degraded ecosystems in the world because of human activities and yet they harbour so much incredible wildlife, much of it hidden from view.

“We aim to bring this to life through indoor rockpool safaris introducing children to some of the amazing animals right on their doorstep, and hands-on experiments helping the children to think like scientists and understand some of the challenges our wildlife faces. Raising an awareness of the natural world and connecting people with the incredible habitats around them is one of the most important things we can do to protect nature.”

This year, the RNLI will play a key role in supporting the project by delivering safety talks to every child. Their involvement will ensure clear, consistent messaging around staying safe in and around the sea, reinforcing the lifesaving knowledge children gain throughout the programme.

Tim Treloar, RNLI Regional Water Safety Education Manager, said: “Our volunteers are looking forward to supporting the Sideshore Project this year, spreading vital water safety education messages to local schools in and around the area. Alongside the work RNLI lifeguards and volunteers do to attend schools to promote water safety within the South West, local projects like Sideshore’s can hugely impact the opportunity young people have to receive these vital messages.” 

The project is completely free and largely funded by Sideshore Community, with additional funding from East Devon District Council, The Norman Trust, Taylor Wimpey, The Proceeds of Crime Act Funding, Hangtime Café, and Sea Swim Devon. Participating schools can also give a voluntary contribution and are encouraged to make an environmental pledge as part of their involvement. These sustainable changes to support ocean health include completing a beach clean, introducing plastic-free lunchboxes, or reducing single-use plastics within school settings.

Project co-founder Bernie Rhodes continues: “Removing all financial barriers is central to our values of ensuring every child, regardless of background, can access high-quality water-safety, wellbeing, and environmental education. But we also want to keep expanding the programme’s reach and secure long-term sustainability, so any local businesses, organisations and supporters who want to help are warmly encouraged to get in touch to find out how they can support the project’s future.”

For more information, or to find out how you can support the project, please visit the Sideshore website or email info@sideshore.co.uk.