Have You Got What It Takes To Be A Brighton & Hove Beach Lifeguard?

Thursday, 3 March 2022 06:00

Brighton & Hove’s seafront team is currently recruiting lifeguards to patrol the city's beaches throughout the summer season.

Brighton and Hove City Council has put out a call for aspiring lifeguards who, they say, 'play a crucial role in helping to keep residents and visitors safe and happy on our beaches, patrolling the seafront, offering safety advice, helping swimmers, and enforcing the local byelaws'.

According to the council, an average of 150 incidents take place each year in the sea and on the beach and last year 30 lives were saved.

Lifeguards will also administer first aid to around 250 people on the beach and give safety advice to around 30,000 people.

Hundreds of children will also be reunited with their families.

Applications to join the team are now open: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/jobs/job-details?job_id=19673

Shortlisted lifeguard applicants will be invited to a swim test to show they can swim 400 metres in seven minutes 30 seconds or under. Those successful in their swim tests will be invited for interview.

The new recruits will join a large team dedicated to ensuring the safety of the millions of residents and visitors who visit Brighton & Hove’s beaches.

Councillor Martin Osborne, co-chair of the tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee, said:

“Our seasonal lifeguards do a fantastic job supporting our seafront officers, making sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time on our beaches and in the sea.

“Lifeguarding in Brighton & Hove is both fun and rewarding and many of our lifeguards return year after year to be part of this friendly and dedicated team.”

The new recruits will complete a beach lifeguard qualification and a week-long induction course acquiring a wide range of skills from assessing sea and weather conditions and dealing with beach hazards, to carrying out first aid and water rescues.

They will take up their posts from 28 May and will be patrolling beaches from the Marina to Hove Lagoon, until 4 September.

Information supplied by Brighton and Hove City Council.