Each year locals and visitors come together as part of Swanage Lifeboat Week to raise much needed funds for the RNLI. The week-long celebration is organised by a team of dedicated volunteers and jam packed with family friendly activities, including a duck race, build a boat competition and live music performances. In addition to an exciting programme of events, the team behind Swanage Lifeboat Week endeavour to educate people about the vital role the charity plays and promote the importance of safety at sea.
Open air cinema
Friday 9th August. Film starts at 8.45pm
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An open-air cinema will be returning to Prince Albert Gardens this August, showing Queens, Bohemian Rhapsody. This wonderful event is open to all and offers a great location to watch this wonderful film as the sun goes down. Bring a picnic blanket or camping chairs and find your spot beneath the big screen. A delicious selection of cinema treats will be available to purchase on the night including soft and alcoholic drinks, sweets and popcorn. There is no fixed ticket price to attend this event. Instead, visitors are kindly asked for a donation towards the RNLI. A donation of £10 for adults and £5 for children is suggested.
Duck race
Sunday 11th August. Race starts at 4pm
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than taking party in a traditional duck race? Purchase your ducks from the post office in the days leading up to the event before releasing them into the stream outside the Conservative Club. Watch the ducks make their way to the sea and wait to see whether yours get there first! There’s £150 up for grabs for the winner!
Lifeboat tour and meet the crew
Tuesday 13th August. 7pm
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Join the Swanage lifeboat crew for an informative evening at the newly refurbished boat house. Experience a personal tour of ‘George Thomas Lacy’, Swanage’s all-weather Shannon class lifeboat and see the inshore D class rib. The newly refurbished station will serve as the venue for the evening and a delicious spread of cocktails and canapés will be available to sample. You will have the chance to meet serving crew members and ask any burning questions you may have. Due to the technical nature of some of the questions, the lifeboat suggests that the evening is not suitable for younger children. Tickets are £10 and guest numbers are limited.
Boat angling open
Wednesday 14th August. 5.30pm start. Weigh in at 10.15pm
Get out on the water and try your hand at a spot of deep-sea fishing. Keen anglers can enter the Swanage boat angling open, which sees individuals vie for the chance to catch the biggest fish. There are always plenty of boats taking part in the competition in a bid to win the cash prize. Entry is £10 per person and Swanage Angling Centre can advise on available boat spaces.
All weather lifeboat launch
Thursday 15th August. 6:15pm launch
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It wouldn’t be Swanage Lifeboat Week without watching the all-weather lifeboat launch. Head to the boat house for 6.15pm to see the crew get the boat ready for launch to support the sailing events taking place in Swanage bay.
Build a boat race
Saturday 17th August. Race starts at 4pm
The build a boat race is the highlight of many of our guest’s week in Swanage. Watch teams build a boat in under 4 hours using only a limited material before racing them across from Stone Quay. Watch the teams and cheer on your favourite as they battle to win £50. If you fancy giving it a go there’s still time to enter!
The festivities take place at a number of locations throughout the town and are easily accessible from our Swanage holiday park.For full details of all the events happening during Swanage Lifeboat Week please see the stations website or Facebook page.