With foreign holidays looking less appealing due to Covid restrictions, the RNLI is getting ready for the summer by advertising for beach lifeguards for some of the UK’s most popular seaside locations including Swanage.
It’s expected that if coronavirus restrictions are eased, UK’s beaches will be extremely busy over the summer, with many choosing staycations rather than booking a holiday abroad.
Help keep everyone safe on the beach and in the sea
So in the lifeguarding service’s 20th anniversary, it’s more important than ever to recruit beach lifeguards to help keep everyone safe on the beach and in the sea.
The seasonal role is mainly preventative, monitoring sea conditions, keeping an eye on adults and children, and offering safety advice, especially to people who aren’t regular beachgoers.
Requirements include excellent physical fitness, a strong swimmer and good eyesight. The pay for 2021 is £9.50 to £11.40 an hour, depending on the role.
Last summer on Swanage Beach, it was a lifeguard who spotted a woman on a paddleboard drifting out to sea and was able to alert the coastguard, who in turn contacted Swanage Lifeboat crew, who were able to safely rescue her.
“Clear head, commitment, and dedication”
RNLI lifeguard services manager, Lee Fisher said:
“If you are looking for a unique and rewarding summer job, lifeguarding could be the perfect opportunity for you. The job is demanding and requires a clear head, commitment, and dedication.
“The skills our lifeguards gain can be an ideal first step towards many career paths or offer invaluable experience for those studying or training in a similar field. We’ve had lifeguards who are studying for jobs in the emergency services or even volunteer for other rescue agencies.
“We’re looking for people with courage, determination and the ability to put their training into action and make the right decision if someone’s life is in danger. It is an incredibly rewarding role.”
In 2020, the lifeguard service rollout across the UK was halted by coronavirus, although it was eventually able to start in June 2020 as Covid restrictions were lifted and people were able to head to the beach.
This year the RNLI has said that the rollout still faces many uncertainties with lockdowns and restrictions but has made provision that those who are recruited as lifeguards in 2021 will not be significantly financially disadvantaged this summer, no matter what happens.
Further information
- Lifeguard job advert for Swanage Beach and along the south coast
- More information about becoming a lifeguard is on the RNLI website
