Give RNLI lifeguarding a go in Chichester this weekend

On Sunday 31 May, RNLI lifeguards from West Sussex and Hampshire are inviting you to join them in Chichester for a beach lifeguarding taster session. The session will begin at 1400 and will wrap up at around 1530. If you’re interested in becoming a lifeguard at Southsea, Littlehampton or Bognor Regis this summer, this is your chance to see what it’s all about.

A word from Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Sydney Horsted

‘My name is Sydney and I am the Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for West Sussex & Hampshire. We are looking for people in search of a summer job that like the idea of working on the beach, learning lifesaving skills and working as part of a brilliant team of people. We have vacancies on the beaches of Southsea and Littlehampton/Bognor Regis.

‘I started as a RNLI Beach Lifeguard at the age of 16 and had no prior beach lifeguarding knowledge or skills, or even any prior work experience. I completed my National Vocational Beach Lifeguard qualification with the help of the RNLI and underwent all the training I needed to work on the beach. I had the best summer learning skills that would serve me both on and off the beach and made friends for life. I came back every summer and now work full-time managing the lifeguard team.

‘If you are interested in working this summer, send us an email or fill out the taster session form to come along on the 31 May and see what it’s all about. If you’re not yet qualified, you can attend our lifeguard course between the 12-16 June. This year marks 25 years of RNLI Lifeguarding and will undoubtedly be a great year to join us, with lots of celebrations planned throughout the summer.’

What to expect at the taster session

You will get a chance to meet the Lifeguard Supervisor team and find out what the job is all about, along with meeting others who have also applied for the role. You can have a go at our swim fitness test - a 400m swim and a 50m ‘under-over’. We will also give you a taster lesson of our basic rescue techniques using a rescue tube. To finish, we will have a look at our RNLI Lifeguards Casualty Care Responder Bag. This includes all our brilliant first aid equipment enabling us to respond to medical incidents on the beach.

Why become an RNLI beach lifeguard

Working as an RNLI lifeguard is an incredibly rewarding job. You’ll gain experience in beach rescue, casualty care first aid, Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) operations and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) handling – all while joining a team of people who share the same mission to save lives at sea. Become part of our charity’s lifesaving community and help us continue this vital work.

2026 marks 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding, a moment to celebrate and reflect on a service that has advanced beach safety across the UK and Ireland. Since 2001 RNLI lifeguards have saved 2,165 lives, aided 459,354 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 333,330 incidents and carried out more than 48M preventative actions.

Last year alone, RNLI lifeguards in the South East of England saved 16 lives, responding to 2,567 incidents and assisting 2,843 people.

What you need to become a beach lifeguard

To become a beach lifeguard, you need to be 16+ years old and be able to pass our swim tests. You can find out more about the requirements here: RNLI lifeguard requirements and training

To work as an RNLI beach lifeguard, you’ll also need a recognised beach lifeguarding qualification. For those who don’t yet have one, the RNLI is running a full Beach Lifeguard Course from 12-16 June in Chichester. Once qualified, successful applicants will be required to attend an induction between the 4 – 8 July, with patrols starting from the 11 July.

How to sign up

Does this sound like something you’d like to do?

Sign up for the taster session today by following the link here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/pTsgHv12v8

Upon signing up, someone will be in contact regarding the exact location and where to meet.

If you have any questions or would like further details, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Visiting the beach this summer

As the main beach season gets underway, the RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by being water smart and following their beach safety advice.  

• Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.  

• Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks.  

• For activities like paddleboarding or kayaking we recommend you wear a wetsuit, buoyancy aid or lifejacket and carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and keep it on you. Tell someone what you are doing, where you are going and when you expect to return.  

• If you are going open water swimming, use a wetsuit to keep you warm, wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float to store personal items including a phone for emergencies.  

• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float.  

• In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.  

-Ends-  

Notes to editor:  

To learn more about RNLI lifeguarded beaches visit: RNLI Lifeguards In The UK And Channel Islands

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Barkley, RNLI Communications Staff Member for South East, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.