The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is on the hunt for new lifeguards in Rhyl and Prestatyn. 

Recruitment for this season’s lifeguard team has started nationally in preparation for keeping the nation’s beachgoers safe this summer. The charity’s lifeguards not only rescue those in difficulty in the water, they also provide vital beach first-aid and safety advice to ensure visitors can return home safely.

In 2021, the RNLI’s lifeguards in North Wales assisted more than 2,400 people who required help whilst visiting the area’s beaches, saving two lives.

Last summer, lifeguards plucked stricken swimmers from powerful rip currents, saved children being blown offshore in inflatables, came to the aid of paddleboarders and gave lifesaving CPR on beaches among the thousands of incidents they attended.

Lucy Tilson, lead lifeguard supervisor for the area, said: "To anyone thinking of becoming a lifeguard, just do it. It’s the best job, it’s so rewarding, and it keeps getting better – there’s so much opportunity for growth in the role."

Lucy started work as a beach lifeguard at 18 and has worked her way up to Lead Supervisor.

Lucy said: "Our lifeguards range from teenagers all the way up to lifesavers in their 70. As long as you meet the fitness requirements and you are over 16 years old, there could be a role for you.

"The job also has great paths for progression - we have lifeguards who have been working for the RNLI for years, both on the beach and as part of our support teams, and the skills you gain can make an ideal first step towards many careers."

Successful applicants will receive lifesaving training, enjoy good rates of pay, the possibility of flexible working patterns and develop valuable skills for a future career.

The fitness requirements for lifeguards are to be able to:

  • Complete a 400m pool swim in under 7½ minutes, the first 200m of which must be completed in under 3½ minutes.
  • Complete a 25m pool swim underwater and a 25m surface swim consecutively in under 50 seconds.
  • Complete a 200m beach run in under 40 seconds.

Visit rnli.org/BeALifeguard.