Tramore RNLI is urging people to check high-tides and winds if they're taking to the water this weekend
The appeal comes as the local rescue group attended their first call-out of the year on Friday.
Press officer Paul Tuohy has this advice for people who decide to take their first dip, this bank holiday.
"Whether putting the boat in the water, getting out the wetsuits, getting ready to go surfing or kite-surfing, the old adages still remain: check your weather, check your winds, check your tides.
"Make sure, as well, that people know where you're going and what time you'll be back at. And keep things within your own comfort zone.
"The lifeboat is always there - if things do go wrong, we will be there and we will help as much as we can."
Cold-water shock is a one of the major reasons people get into difficulty.
"It's still relatively cold," warns Paul, "We're coming out of the coldest time of the year now. It's starting to warm up - some of the local surfers have said to me that it's starting and they can feel a small bit of an edge being taken off. But it's still cold.
"One of the biggest things is cold-water shock. That's the thing that will get most people; the actual jumping into the water and thinking that because it's a nice sunny day, it's going to be relatively warm. It's not.
"It's cold. It's still very, very cold."
When it comes to taking a boat out onto the water, the local RNLI member is asking that you don't do so unless you've checked your engine.
Paul says it's vital that you make sure it's in working order after the winter:
"People will pull the engine over and think if it starts full time that they're golden, it's great. Yet they wouldn't jump in their car after leaving it in a shed for six or eight months and drive up the motorway without checking the oil, having it serviced. All the bits and pieces.
"The same with any engine. And especially anything that's going into sea water - they need to be well maintained."
