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Lifesaving water safety skills event to take place in Ilkley

Thursday, 20 August 2026 08:25

Ilkley River Wharfe.

People in Ilkley are being given the chance to learn potentially lifesaving water safety skills at a special local event.

The event is designed to help people understand the risks associated with open water and learn what to do if they, or someone else, gets into difficulty.

Water safety has been a particular focus this summer, with national organisations warning about the dangers of swimming in rivers, lakes and other open water.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) says its annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign aims to give children and young people the knowledge and confidence to stay safe in, on and around water.

The charity's Rookie Lifeguard programme also teaches children how to recognise hazards and respond appropriately in an emergency.

For Ilkley, the issue has a particularly local relevance.

The River Wharfe is a popular spot during periods of warm weather, but open water can carry risks that are not always immediately obvious.

Earlier this year, MP Robbie Moore, whose constituency includes Ilkley, raised water safety in Parliament during a debate on the issue.

He highlighted the work of organisations including the Royal Life Saving Society UK and Swim England in improving water safety education.

The upcoming Ilkley event offers residents an opportunity to learn more about staying safe around water and developing skills that could potentially make a difference in an emergency.

Organisers are encouraging local people to take advantage of the opportunity and learn more about water safety before heading into or around open water.

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