PLUS: SEASIDE RESCUE, DOES IT FLOAT GAME AND ARE YOU A STAN OR A SANDY?
Take an item in your hand.
Do you think it will float or sink?
How does it feel? Is it heavy or light? What is it made of? Plastic? Metal? Wood? Something else? Make a prediction: will it float?
Carefully place the item on top of the water and let go.
Did it float or sink?
If you got it right, give yourself a point. Record the score on a piece of paper.
Simply add up your score and see how many you got right!
When Leila and Harry played they game, they each got a few wrong, which added to the fun!
Leila was curious to find out why some things float and some things don’t.
She found out that it depends on density – how heavy something is for its size. A balloon filled with air will float in water (it’s low density). A solid glass marble will sink (it’s high density).
Leila also read that heavy objects don’t always sink. Boats are heavy, but not very dense, so they float – phew!
NEWS HOUND SAYHELLO!
RNLI lifeguards have already started patrolling beaches around the UK and Channel Islands this year. If you go to the beach this summer, say hello to our friendly lifeguards. They’ll help make sure you have the best day ever! They’re trained to rescue, but they’ll spend most of their working day preventing people getting into trouble in the first place. They’ll give out water safety tips, like ‘Always swim between the red-and-yellow flags’.
keeps getting better and better! Look out for your new-look Storm magazine, coming later this year. It will be a new handy size and it’ll still include all your favourites: To the Rescue, activities and puzzles, Your Shout, plus Stormy Stan and the usual crew.
It was a fun start to the year for children and grown ups at a beach in Anglesey, North Wales. Hundreds of people enjoyed space hopper races across the sand. The Trearddur Bay crew were bouncing with joy, especially when they heard that the event raised money for their lifeboat station.
Photos: RNLI/(Andy Hodgson, Nathan Williams)
RESCUES
A round of a-paws please for the crew at Wells Lifeboat Station, who saved Olive the dog from drowning. Three volunteers had launched to the rescue in their D class lifeboat, to a family in peril. When the crew reached the scene, the people were OK, but Olive wasn’t breathing. The crew acted quickly. Volunteer Crew Member Simon, who is a nurse, brought her back to life with CPR (pushing down on her chest to get her heart beating again). Well done Simon – you’re a brilliant nurse and a great dog-tor!
Have you ever been on a rocky boat and felt a bit seasick? Imagine what it was like for Dunbar lifeboat crew, who launched to the rescue after a terrible storm last winter, not long after finishing their Sunday lunches! Storm Darragh made the North Sea even wilder than usual, but the Dunbar crew and their lifeboats were up to the challenge. Volunteers on the D class and Trent class lifeboats launched into waves of up to 4m, to help a man in trouble. We’re glad to report that the man reached safety and the crews returned home.
Does this video make you seasick? RNLI.org/starfish
Three students were walking near Newhaven when they were cut off by the tide. They feared for their lives. They were at the bottom of a cliff, with the water rising. Some kind surfers spotted the students in trouble and helped them to a safer part of the shore. Then the RNLI crew on the Newhaven D class lifeboat rescued them. One of the students, called Prashik, praised the volunteers: ‘We would like to say thank you to the RNLI crews from Newhaven for saving our lives.’
Watch the amazing crew in action at RNLI.org/starfish
Olive’s a lucky dog Photos: RNLI/(Jess Curtis, Nigel Millard, Newhaven)
Lifeboat volunteers brave the storm
Three students climb safely into the lifeboat
Olive and family return to the station to thank the crew
YOU HOW DO FLOAT?
WE ALL KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET INTO TROUBLE IN THE WATER: FLOAT. BUT EXACTLY HOW DO YOU FLOAT AND DOES EVERYBODY FLOAT DIFFERENTLY? I TOOK THE STORM FORCE GANG TO THE LOCAL SWIMMING POOL TO FIND OUT. HERE’S WHAT WE LEARNED.
IF YOU GET INTO TROUBLE IN THE WATER, WHAT DO YOU DO? FLOAT ON YOUR BACK:
1. Tilt your head back, with your ears in the water.
2. Relax and try to breathe normally.
3. Stretch out your arms and legs to find a comfortable floating shape.
4. Move your arms and legs gently to help you to float.
5. Stay calm. Raise an arm, and shout
WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT FLOATING?
It’s a lifeskill. If you find yourself in trouble or you fall into the water, it could save your life. It works well because it keeps your nose and mouth above the water, so you can breathe. When you feel calm, you can think about what to do next. Can you put a hand in the air and shout for help? Or are you able to swim to safety or hold onto something that floats, like a bodyboard or ball?
HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR FLOAT?
As you can see, all of my Storm Force pals found different ways to float. It takes practice to find out how you float. The next time you go to a swimming pool with an adult, try floating like a starfish. If your body floats in a different way, trust it. It’s OK if your legs sink a little. Work out what shape suits you best. Scatty thinks he looks the best, but it doesn’t matter what
HELP YOU FLOAT?
CAN EVERYONE FLOAT?
If you don’t get it at first, keep practising. It’s worth it. It may save your life one day. My friend Alice Dearing (Great Britain’s first Black female Olympic swimmer) and I know that it’s a myth that some groups of people can’t float. Whatever you look like – whatever your skin colour, height or weight – you can find your float. If you don’t go to the swimming pool, you can still try out some floating positions! Choppy doesn’t like water, so she lay down on the floor and tried some out.
Yes! Hold onto anything that floats – like a bodyboard or a beachball. A lung full of air will also help you float – take a big breath in. It’s good to practise so that you get more confident floating. Trust that the water will support you.
DOES FLOATING REALLY SAVE LIVES?
Yes! Many children and adults are alive today thanks to floating. It worked for Tina – turn to page 10 to find out how floating saved her life.
COOLCHILE
Chile is on the west coast of South America. Along its 4,000-mile coastline you’ll find penguins, whales and even retired RNLI lifeboats …
THE DESERT
The Atacama Desert – the driest desert on the planet –makes Chile an awesome place for stargazing, thanks to its clear skies. The soil is similar to that on Mars, so NASA (America’s space agency) uses the Atacama to test equipment that will go on missions to the red planet. The desert is home to the most ancient mummies in the world – the Atacama mummies are 2,000 years older than Egyptian mummies!
Alpacas – which are like small llamas – live around the Andes mountain range
These ancient stone figures were said to have special powers
THE CULTURE
The moai are huge stone figures carved by the native inhabitants of Rapa Nui, otherwise known as Easter Island. The Chilean island is one of the most remote in the world –more than 2,000 miles from the Chile mainland. Every year, islanders celebrate the traditions of Rapa Nui with a festival called the Tapati, during which a queen is chosen. Competitions include Haka Pei, which sees locals sliding down a hill on sleds made from banana-tree trunks.
Robinson Crusoe Island is 400 miles off the coast of Chile
THE SPORT
Over 400 years ago, Chilean cowboys – known as huasos – rode into the Andes mountains to round up cattle. This tradition led to what is now Chile’s national sport – the rodeo. Today, rodeo is one of the most popular sports in Chile, second only to football.
THE LIFESAVERS
For years, Chilean lifesavers have been using ex-RNLI lifeboats like this one
ISLAND PARADISE
The remote Robinson Crusoe Island, over 400 miles off the coast of Chile, is beautiful, with sheer cliffs and tumbling streams. It’s where a Scottish man called Alexander Selkirk spent 4 years as a castaway – all alone. Selkirk is thought to have inspired the famous book Robinson Crusoe. Today, more than 900 people live on the island. They’re joined by a colony of fur seals –some seals even greet passengers at the airport jetty!
Choppy is horsing around at the rodeo!
Did you know that Chile has its own search and rescue organisation, made up of volunteers, just like the RNLI? It’s called Botes Salvavidas Valparaíso, and 2025 marks its 100th anniversary. Chilean lifesavers have been using retired RNLI lifeboats since 1956. The first lifeboat sent there had helped soldiers to escape from Dunkirk in the Second World War. More recently, a lifeboat from Ramsgate RNLI (called Bob Turnbull, pictured left) arrived in Chile. If you look closely at the front of the lifeboat, you might even spot the RNLI flag.
FLOAT TO LIVE
WHO ARE YOU MORE LIKE?
RNLI volunteers come from all different backgrounds – they’re people like you. Everybody’s welcome and everybody's unique, with their own personality, but which one of the Storm Force crew are you most like?
You hear an alarm ringing in the middle of the night. What do you do?
Jump up and check everybody is OK
You’re bored. What do you do?
Invite all your friends round
STAN
YOU'RE A LEADER
You’re great fun to be around and you love being with lots of friends. You’re full of good ideas and you’re brave – a much-loved member of the Storm Force crew.
Tell your parent/carer and go back to sleep!
Ask your BFF over
Play ball games
RUFF
YOU'RE A GOOD FRIEND
Being with your BFF is your favourite thing in the world. Your friends can count on you to be there for them. They’re lucky to have you as a friend and we’re glad you’re part of the crew!
START
Super speed Invisibility
How would your friends describe you?
Which superpower would you pick?
Which of these activities would you rather do?
Swim in the sea
You get home after a long day at the beach. What do you do?
Have a nap
Toy tractors Loyal Go to the park for a run Brave
SANDY
YOU'RE ADVENTUROUS
You’re happiest outdoors in the summer and you love the beach and swimming in the sea. You have quick reactions and will help anybody who’s in trouble.
Which would you rather play with?
CHOPPY YOU'RE KIND
If someone’s in trouble, you’re always willing to help them. You don’t like to show off and and you stay calm in an emergency. You’d make a great shore crew member one day!
ShoutYour
BRYN’S KEEN TO JOIN THE LIFEBOAT CREW AT PORTHCAWL –LIKE HIS DAD – WHEN HE’S OLDER. HE’S ALREADY LEARNING TO SWIM – GOOD SKILL, BRYN! HAVE YOU PRACTISED FLOATING TOO AT YOUR LOCAL SWIMMING POOL?
OUR FRIENDLY LIFEGUARD TEAM AT WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA WERE HAPPY TO MEET ROBIN LAST SUMMER. THEY TOLD ROBIN ALL ABOUT TIDES AND EXPLAINED THAT THE LOUD SIRENS ON THE BEACH HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.
YUMMY! THEO COOKED THIS MALVA PUDDING, FOLLOWING A RECIPE IN THE MAGAZINE. HIS GRANDPA IS A FANTASTIC FUNDRAISER FOR THE RNLI. THANK YOU BOTH FOR DOING YOUR BIT TO HELP SAVE LIVES AT SEA!
CHECK OUT ALICE’S FAB LIGHTHOUSE – VERY IMPRESSIVE! IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A LIGHTHOUSE TOO OR WANT MORE CREATIVE IDEAS, HEAD TO DOWNLOADS AT RNLI.ORG/STARFISH.
ROBIN (6)
ALICE (7)
THEO (5)
BRYN (4)
THIS IS SAM, ON A TOUR OF THE RNLI COLLEGE. HE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE SOME NEW LIFEBOAT VOLUNTEERS GETTING TRAINED IN THE SEA SURVIVAL POOL. HE ALSO WENT IN THE SIMULATOR – IT’S LIKE BEING INSIDE AN ALL-WEATHER LIFEBOAT IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESCUE!
(7)
WE LOVE COLLIN’S AIRFIX MODEL OF A SHANNON CLASS LIFEBOAT. IT’S SO WELL MADE AND PAINTED. COLLIN’S A FANTASTIC FUNDRAISER TOO – HE WALKED THE MAYDAY MILE IN 2024 AND RAISED £310+ FOR THE CHARITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COLLIN!
LOOK! STORMY STAN HAS CHANGED SOPHIE INTO A CREW MEMBER! SOPHIE CAN’T WAIT UNTIL SHE’S OLD ENOUGH TO VOLUNTEER. SHE’LL BE FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HER DAD, HER GRANDAD AND HER GREAT-GRANDAD!
ALBERT’S A BIG FAN OF LIFEBOATS AND COASTGUARD HELICOPTERS, SO HE GOT THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY CAKE! HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE STORM FORCE GANG SINCE HE WAS 3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALBERT!
(5)
STORMY STAN LOVES HEARING ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO AND PUBLISHES HIS FAVOURITE PICTURES AND LETTERS. IT'S EASY TO SEND HIM YOUR STUFF:
• SELECT your best photos, drawings, jokes, etc
• CHECK that it's OK with an adult and ask them to complete the online permission form at RNLI.org/SendToStormy
• SEND it all to stormystan@rnli.org.uk
SAM (6)
TRUTH MYTH?
If something is heavy it means it can’t ever float
It’s OK if your legs sink a little while you’re floating
Lifeguards are such good swimmers because they eat lots of tuna fish
A rainstick is a gadget you plug into your TV so you can watch lots of films
Funzone
BUST A RHYME
All of these things rhyme with an RNLI lifesaving technique. Can you work out what it is?
LEARN THE LINGO
Draw a line between each Spanish name and what it means in English. You'll find some of the answers in the Chile article (page 8). You may also need some detective work and an atlas!
Botes Salvavidas Valparaiso The most southerly part of Chile
Rodeo
Huaso
Tierra del Fuego
Chungungo
A Chilean cowboy
A small mammal, found in Chile
Chile’s version of the RNLI
Chile’s national sport
COWGIRL JESS
Jess brought back some lassoes as souvenirs from a trip to Chile. She’s planning to use one to catch herself an ice cream at the beach.
Leon's having great fun at the beach. Can you spot five differences between the two pictures? SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Stuck? The answers are on page 19
WHO ARE YOU?
Sandy, RNLI Lifeguard
Full name: Sandy Potter
Personality: Kind and confident
Likes: Running, swimming, taekwondo and trampolining
Job: Pro surfer
Fave food: Salads, beach barbecues and a nice cup of tea
Other facts: Sandy’s uncle is Stormy Stan!
COLOUR THIS!
Q: WHY DIDN’T THE LLAMA WANT COFFEE?
A: HE ONLY DRINKS LLAMANADE!
Q: WHY WAS THE LLAMA LATE FOR SCHOOL?
A: HE FORGOT TO SET HIS A-LLAMA CLOCK!
Q: WHAT DID THE ALPACA SAY WHEN HE WAS PREPARING FOR A HOLIDAY?
A: ALPACA BAG!
VERY FUNNY.
STAN AND FRIENDS
AnswersTRUTH OR MYTH?
1. Myth (see page 3)
2. Truth (see page 7)
3. Myth
4. Myth (see back page)
LEARN THE LINGO
Botes Salvavidas Valparaíso
Rodeo
Huaso
Tierra del Fuego
Chungungo
BUST A RHYME
Float (rhymes with goat, moat, boat and coat)
COWGIRL JESS
Lasso 2 leads to the ice cream.
The most southerly part of Chile
A Chilean cowboy
A small mammal, found in Chile
Chile’s version of the RNLI
The name of Chile’s national sport
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Editor: Bethany Hope
Designer: Steve Read
Illustrator: James Stayte
Contributors: Darren Crew
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney, of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ
