XTRATUF is proud to continue its partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) through a new two-year commitment, further supporting the charity’s vital lifesaving work across UK and Irish coastlines.
As part of this extended partnership, XTRATUF will supply 500 pairs of bespoke sliders each season, as a gift for new RNLI lifeguards, recognising their dedication to keeping beach visitors safe throughout the summer months. In addition, 200 pairs of Ankle Deck Boots (ADB) will be gifted each season for lifeguard supervisors, ensuring those leading teams on the beach are equipped with high-performance, durable footwear.
XTRATUF® Ankle Deck Boots are handcrafted from natural rubber in a lightweight design, featuring the same high-traction chevron outsole found in the brand’s Legacy boots. Fully waterproof and built for all-day wear, they are finished with an XpressCool™ lining to help keep feet cool in warmer conditions.
Building on a successful partnership to date, which included a £10,000 contribution in the first year and £15,000 in the second year, XTRATUF will continue to raise funds throughout the partnership, including donating £1 per pair from its lifestyle range sold to the RNLI.
These contributions will help support the essential training and equipment needed to keep RNLI lifesavers prepared for their critical roles. Alongside this, XTRATUF will continue to share vital water safety messages with its customers, encouraging visits to lifeguarded beaches and providing guidance on what to do if in difficulty in or around the water.
XTRATUF continues to recognise the pivotal role of RNLI lifeguards by gifting new recruits a pair of their Après Fish slider, designed exclusively in the RNLI’s distinctive yellow and red colour palette.
The Après Fish slider is a one-piece, lightweight slide made completely of BIO LITE, a low-compression, high-performance EVA foam that delivers superior impact absorption and support. Granted a Green Leaf certificate, BIO LITE will biodegrade in bioreactor landfills, offering a lighter footprint for the planet.
Brett Shepherd, RNLI Lifeguards Operations Manager says: “We are delighted with the continued support from Xtratuf, gifting footwear for our lifeguards to support them in carrying out their vital lifesaving work and keeping the public safe at the beach. Their products are practical for our busy lifeguards to wear at the beach, and they are environmentally more sustainable through use of natural materials.”
XTRATUF was founded in the USA almost 75 years ago, designed for Alaskan fishermen navigating treacherous seas. Over time, XTRATUF footwear has extended beyond fishing boots, with a lifestyle range including their best-selling 100% waterproof ankle boot, affectionately known as the ‘ADB’.
XTRATUF boots are worn and trusted by generations of ocean lovers, from fishermen to explorers, wild swimmers, kayakers, and surfers.
Big wave surfer, Andrew ‘Cotty’ Cotton, best known for surfing the notorious 100ft Wave in Nazare, Portugal joined the XTRATUF Pro Team in 2023. “As a former lifeguard, patrolling Croyde beach for 7 seasons, and now as a professional big wave surfer, I’ve witnessed first-hand the crucial role the RNLI plays in keeping our beaches safe. Their dedication and bravery are unmatched, and I’m proud to see XTRATUF, a brand I trust and rely on, supporting such an essential organisation.”
Milly Pestell, XTRATUF’s UK Marketing Director, says: “XTRATUF is built for those who love the water, and we believe it’s our responsibility to help ensure the ocean can be enjoyed safely. We’re proud to partner with the RNLI, supporting the dedicated individuals who protect those using our beaches and seas, and the XTRATUF community.”
The RNLI will provide its seasonal beach lifeguard service this year across the UK and Channel Islands in its standard phased approach. The number of beaches will gradually increase through the season until the peak school summer holidays when over 240 beaches are patrolled.
Find your nearest at https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.
The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by following their beach safety advice:
- Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks.
- For activities like paddleboarding or kayaking we recommend you wear a wetsuit, buoyancy aid or lifejacket and carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and keep it on you. Tell someone what you are doing, where you are going and when you expect to return.
- If you are going open water swimming, use a wetsuit to keep you warm, wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float to store personal items including a phone for emergencies
- If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live
- Tilt your head back with ears submerged
- Relax and try to control your breathing
- Use your hands to help you stay afloat
- It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
- In a coastal emergency, call 999 if you’re in the UK or 112 if you’re in Ireland and ask for the coastguard.
-ENDS-
Media contacts
XTRATUF PR Contact:
Emily Hipwell, emily.hipwell@huxpr.co.uk.
RNLI PR contact:
Laura Haslam, RNLI Press Office Manager, on Laura_Haslam@rnli.org.uk.
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 146,000 lives.
About XTRATUF
XTRATUF is built for the most epic conditions across the globe. It’s built for a community of passionate water lovers everywhere who want the best footwear and gear to keep them dry, comfortable and sure footed, no matter what they face. XTRATUF enables and empowers us all to keep going, to keep working, to keep doing. ALASKA PROVEN. BUILT FOR ALL. It is a division of Rocky Brands, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ® under the symbol: RCKY.
For further information please visit www.xtratuf.co.uk.
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