- I have worked as a lifeguard in Cornwall, Jersey, New Zealand and Australia. My dream place to work as a lifeguard has got to be Hawaii.
- I grew up surfing in Cornwall, much like many of the other lifeguards, and also went travelling from a young age to places like Australia and Indonesia. I came back from working a winter season in 2000 and I was waiting tables in a Cornwall hotel when I realised I should be doing something that involved my love of surfing. I thought given my experience I might as well get paid at the same time.
- The season starts in March and runs through until November. From September the lifeguards only work weekends up until half-term where there is one full week before the season ends.
- The RNLI’s training is world class and very comprehensive. Every year the lifeguards will go through a high-level casualty care course endorsed by the Royal College of Surgeons and extensive leadership training.
- The training focuses heavily on health and safety because lifeguards work in a challenging environment. There are the essential skills and knowledge lifeguards are required to know in order to understand what the job entails and the risks associated. In order to do this in a professional and successful way we have to look at our operating procedures, how we technically lifeguard the beaches, operating the vehicles and casualty
care. - The type of equipment we use includes rescue boards which are like overblown surfboards, rescue tubes similar to what you’d see in Baywatch, four-wheel drive vehicles, quad bikes and jet skis.
- The most important characteristics for a lifeguard to have are a sense of responsibility, a selfless attitude, a high level of physical fitness and a sense of service.
- I think there is a perception out there that lifeguarding is only for men but this couldn’t be further from the truth. There have been plenty of women working as lifeguards in the past for us – we have around five this season.
- There are four beaches that I love for different reasons. St Brelade and Grève de Lecq are my favourites because they are the most beautiful beaches on the Island. St Ouen is another great choice for the consistent surf and Plémont because it’s so picturesque.
- I hope to continue working for the RNLI. As long as I am operational and am able to meet the fitness criteria then there is no limit. I have a lot of experience to share so as I get older I may participate in other areas of lifeguarding but for now I love my day job.
- I have rescued lots of people but I’m not on the beach as much as I use to be. I’m a supervisor which involves travelling from beach to beach making sure everyone’s able to do their job.
- The best place I have lived is most definitely Jersey. I love how community based and connected the Island is. It is the most beautiful place to live so we are very lucky people.
- The biggest influencers on my life have to be my family, friends, parents and even the people who I have worked for in the past because they emulate how I want to be successful in my job.
- If I could relive one day of my life it would be a surfing day in Hawaii. I went on holiday there in 2012 and absolutely loved it. It was really amazing because I got to surf some massive waves. At the time I was seasonal so once I had finished up for the year I had plenty of time to travel.
- I’m not a super competitive person but I always strive to do my best. I am a bit of a perfectionist.
- The most important thing in life is remaining true to yourself and the values you have. Life is about being kind to others and always being a good friend.
