Three people are said to owe their lives to the RNLI lifeguard service in Swansea after a "particularly busy" four weeks with more than 50 incidents.
With uncertainty surrounding holidays abroad and many potential destinations off-limits without expensive Covid tests and the risk of having to quarantine, people have been staying home in much greater numbers.
And that has often seen beaches in the UK packed with more holidaymakers than normal.
Read more : Hero scaffolder ran to the aid of trapped young boy after bus crash in Mumbles
Among those tasked with keeping them safe is lifeguard Tom Henderson. He responded to two serious incidents where the RNLI believes he helped save the lives of three people.
In a post on Facebook RNLI Lifeguards Swansea said: "On the 28th, last month, lifeguards Tom Henderson and Riley Jones noticed two young boys swimming at the edge of a red and yellow flagged area" a designated swimming area.
"Lifeguard Tom Henderson entered the water with a rescue board as the boys were getting closer to the reef and starting to struggle to return to shore"
As the lifeguard approached the boys the RNLI Lifeguard post added: "One of the casualties was submerged and unable to keep himself afloat, he then resurfaced momentarily shouting for help before sinking back under the water.
"Tom had to use a lifesaving manoeuvre to lift the casualty onto the rescue board to stop the individual from drowning."
At another incident this month, the same lifeguard was called into action.
In another post on Facebook the RNLI said "Tom Henderson proactively patrolled the mouth of the river during the tidal cut off at Three cliffs. Tom witnessed two people clinging onto rocks behind the cliffs unable to get themselves to safety."
Dangers for the two people grew when "rising tide and large surging swell" made it challenging for the lifeguard to approach. But Tom was able to successfully rescue the individuals, although he "sustained injuries from the rocks during the rescue".
"Without the team's foresight, vigilance, and lifesaving skill I have no doubt that these incidents would have had a very different outcome" said the RNLI lifeguards Swansea post.
Senior lifeguards Dan Sorley and Nat Palla said they wanted to remind people to always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
Get stories like this straight to your inbox with our newsletters.
