Britain's best summer job - what's it like being a lifeguard?

Two RNLI lifeguards from Margate talk about their experience of working from the beach and why it's the best summer job going.
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are ready to launch to help those in need. Whether you're stuck on a sinking ship, cut off by a rapidly rising tide, or in the water and close to drowning, RNLI crew members will drop everything to come to your rescue. 95% of RNLI lifeboat crews and station staff are volunteers.
But it’s not just lifeboats. RNLI lifeguards patrol 248 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, keeping people safe, providing safety advice and rescuing those in trouble. Education volunteers visit schools and swimming clubs to help teach the next generation how to enjoy the water safely. And volunteer fundraisers and shop workers give up their time to generate vital funds. The RNLI is also working to help communities around the world that are most at risk of drowning.
If you spot someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
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Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney.

[@vm8886]

it looks so depressing in the UK compared to other countries. I wish i could become a lifeguard on Venice beach or Bondi

[@horizonsamuari]

Yes bondi

[@jacenaylor9537]

Become someone with hoppo and Jeff from boni rescue

[@WRUScrumhalf]

It looks so depressing because most of our beaches are made of pebbles. But the surf is great! Oohoohoo. I still think our waters are a bit more dangerous (not counting sharks lol) because there are so many rips and the surf here can just go from tint to massive swells in a few minutes. The Welsh beaches are the best here though!

[@vm8886]

@@WRUScrumhalf na it’s cos the weather is shit most of the time. Beaches need ☀️

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

actually bud there some very very nice beaches here in britain.

[@maryannhunter9781]

She saved my sister I'm so praised if no one saw her drowning she would of been dead but thank you so much for saving my sister ❤😥

[@rnli]

Well done for using a lifeguarded beach that day! That was the decision that ultimately saved her life 💙

[@georgeo3298]

I would love this job!!!

[@rhiannonhowells6494]

Same

[@mrlegobrickmanproductions7863]

Yeah, I'm going to apply when I'm 17

[@adamcairns2518]

same

[@K777John]

I used to live right above the beach at Hayle in Cornwall, was part of the Surf Lifesaving Club there and was mates with all of the local lifeguards-I would have loved to join the lifeboat crew but lived too far away from the St Ives boathouse which was my nearest-long time ago, I lived there from 1974-1976.

[@rnli]

We love to hear about different connections supporters have with us, thank you for sharing John. You must have such fond memories of that time 😊

[@izzy.frances401]

I’m a pool lifeguard in Suffolk and moving to Wales for uni, and definitely thinking of advancing my training to beach lifeguard in Wales. :)) hopefully I can do it...

[@sorwarhossen6793]

I also work as a lifeguard. You are all invited to Cox's Bazar beach in Bangladesh. Salute lifeguard.

[@rnli]

Thank you 😊

[@harliesellars]

Are there different training courses for pool and beach lifeguarding?

[@millierose4080]

Yes since you have to be able to swim in rough conditions and use a board it’s very different to a pool life guard you also have to learn beach singles etc x

[@historicrecord]

read the article in last Sundays Observer entitled Baywatch meets Shameless on lifeguards of Viking Bay

[@dmx6210]

I'm thinking to be a RNLI lifeguard in Porthcawl, but I'm in the boat crew there. Me and my younger brother share an account..

[@jacenaylor9537]

I'm 16 in April and I'm a confident swimmer but do you have to pay for the training to become a beach lifeguard?

[@rnli]

Hi Jace, thanks for your message. So getting a recognised qualification is a pre-requisite for the role, but once you've successfully applied our training is provided as part of the job.

[@davidscott255]

What age can you start training to be a beach lifeguard?

[@rnli]

+David Scott Hi David. You have to be 16 years old. If you are below this age but still want to gain experience we recommend joining your local lifesaving club.If you are aged 16 or 17 your parents/guardians will be required to complete a parental consent form before you start your lifeguarding duties on the beach

[@davidscott255]

Is there a local lifesaving club in Tynemouth

[@tsitracommunications2884]

The baywatch of jolly old england

[@rnli]

We're so proud of all our lifeguards ❤

[@RecapCarrot]

Can you do work experience as a lifeguard

[@rnli]

Hi Adam, if you're interested in being a voluntary lifeguard you can find out more here: jobs.rnli.org/wd/plsql/wd_portal.show_page?p_web_site_id=2464&p_text_id=262
If you want to gain experience we recommend looking up your local lifesaving club. :-)

[@judithparker210]

Emmaparker and I have a nice and I have been a little more about the same thing as well and I am

[@lucastubenhoefer1206]

I am a german liveguard

[@horizonsamuari]

Them rescue boards ain't very big

[@MrRaisin56]

why do i not live near a beach man pools suck

[@bluecharlie23stuff26]

Josh Allen shut up

[@nazmabegumahmed9812]

I rather bondi beach