03/09/2026
Celebrating a Local Lifesaving Legend ๐๐
At Littlehampton Wave, we're lucky to be surrounded by incredible people who make a real difference in our community, and today we're shining a spotlight on one of them.
David Slade, founder and Chair of Littlehampton Wave Life Saving Club and Lead Instructor with the Royal Life Saving Society UK - RLSS UK, has dedicated a lifetime to teaching lifesaving skills and helping prevent drowning. Through the many FREE lifesaving courses David runs at Littlehampton Wave, countless members of the local community have gained vital skills that could one day save a life.
In recognition of his outstanding service to lifesaving, David was awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) in the King's Birthday Honours List 2025. A truly deserved honour for a lifetime of dedication to keeping people safe around water.
This year also marks a remarkable milestone. Sixty years ago, on 10th September 1966, David was part of a six-strong relay team from the then Portsmouth & Southsea Life Guard Corps that successfully swam across the English Channel from Cap Gris-Nez to St Margaret's Bay in an impressive time of 12 hours and 6 minutes.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this extraordinary achievement, David is inviting the community to join him for a commemorative swim on Sunday 6th September 2026 between 5:45pm and 6:45pm. The swim will take place at the Club's usual training spot between the two groynes to the left of the Mewsbrook Park Lake outlet pipe on Littlehampton Beach, almost opposite Littlehampton Wave.
Afterwards, everyone is welcome to join David for a hot drink and chat at our cafรฉ. If the weather is against us, the event will simply move to Littlehampton Wave.
Even if you're not planning to swim, we'd love to see you there to celebrate David's achievement, support Littlehampton Wave Life Saving Club and the Royal Life Saving Society's vital mission to reduce drowning and keep people safe around water.
Thank you, David, for your passion, commitment and dedication to helping others stay safe in and around the water ๐