Would you like to make West Kirby beach your office this summer? Does that sound like the best summer job ever?
The hunt is on for a new recruit who will be paid to spend the summer patrolling our shoreline as a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeguard.
The RNLI is looking for lifeguards for five Wirral beaches, including West Kirby. The new recruits will be kitted out and trained to be on hand to save lives on our beautiful shoreline at its busiest time of the year.
RNLI Lifeguard Manager Peter Rooney said: “I can’t think of a better way to cure the winter blues than applying to become an RNLI beach lifeguard and get paid to save lives this summer.
“We’re looking for strong swimmers who can swim 400m with a good level of fitness aged over 16 years old. If you have the raw ability and the will to learn we can help get you fit and qualified.”
The RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, has launched its “Best Summer Job” recruitment campaign by inviting volunteers to apply online.
Lifeguards come from all walks of life including teachers, students, stay-at-home parents, business owners and gap year travellers, all looking to do something special with their summer.
Peter added: “The experience you’ll gain this summer as an RNLI beach lifeguard will stay with you for life. You’ll work with an inspiring team and make lifelong friends while getting the chance to improve your physical fitness and learn new skills.
“There’s nothing better than making the beach your office, getting paid to train and knowing you have the first aid and rescue skills to save someone’s life at a moment’s notice. It’s the best job you’ll ever have.”
If you are applying, the RNLI recommends the you get down to the swimming pool at West Kirby Concourse now and start getting in shape. The minimum target for a lifeguard is to be able to swim 400m in under 7 minutes 30 seconds. And of course the exercise will boost your energy and your mood, making those dark winter evenings a little more bearable.
It also recommends that you go running outside, practising your sprints with the aim of covering 200m on sand in under 40 seconds, the required level for a lifeguard.
And if you needed more incentive to eat better this January, an RNLI spokesman advised: “RNLI lifeguards are fit people but this doesn’t come naturally. They exercise regularly and eat healthily. A healthy diet boosts your mood, gives you more energy and stops you putting on weight over the winter which you’ll be grateful for during the sprint test.”
