
A lifetime of lifesaving
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Lifeguard Chris Lewis MBE has been awarded an official Guinness World Records title, longest career as a lifeguard, for his service keeping visitors safe on Bournemouth beach for 59 years.
Chris has been involved in lifeguarding and lifesaving since the age of 16 both as a volunteer and as a professional lifeguard – performing hundreds of rescues and thousands of lifeguard patrols. He became part of the RNLI lifeguard service in 2001 when the charity first provided beach patrols for local authorities and received an MBE in 2017 - the first RNLI lifeguard to be recognised with such an award.
At 72 years old, Chris Lewis MBE describes it as ‘the best job in the world’ and is still able to pass the tough fitness tests, seeing them as an excuse to stay fit and healthy.
RNLI Lifeguard, Chris Lewis, said:
‘I’ve been a member of Bournemouth Lifeguards for 59 years and have been involved in lifeguarding and lifesaving from the age of 16.
‘I’m grateful to the RNLI because being a lifeguard has allowed me to stay fit and healthy!
‘Our day-to-day rescues are all about prevention, giving people advice and helping people so they don’t have to be rescued. However, sometimes people still do get into trouble and that’s part of the job.
‘My most memorable rescue was here on Bournemouth beach, I saw three people including a 16-year-old girl, get into difficulty by the groynes. I managed to rescue all three of them, and as I came out of the water, the whole beach stood up and clapped. I’ll never forget it.’
Adam Millward, Managing Editor, Guinness World Records, said:
‘While I’ve fortunately never needed a lifeguard, it’s always reassuring to know there are incredible people like Chris looking out for you. Even more incredible is that much of his service has been as a volunteer. With the RNLI turning 200 and GWR 70 it is fantastic to be able to give Chris a moment in the spotlight he so rightfully deserves. Congratulations Chris, welcome to the Guinness World Records family.’
Chris, along with his fellow lifeguards, are set to return to beaches for Easter, as the charity and local authorities prepare and get ready for another busy season, with figures showing RNLI lifeguards have now saved 2,000 lives since the service started in 2001.
Last year, RNLI Lifeguards responded to 14,213 incidents across the UK and Channel Islands, saved 86 lives and aided 19,979 people.
The RNLI works in partnership with local authorities and landowners each year to set up and roll out a lifeguard service at their request. Setting up a lifeguard service each season for a local authority involves several different elements including recruiting and training lifeguards and organising the logistics to deliver equipment and in some cases lifeguard units to each beach.
Before a lifeguard sets foot on a beach, they take part in months of training. From a rigorous fitness test to learning vital casualty care skills, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment in order to save lives at the beach.
As well as rescuing those in trouble in the water, RNLI lifeguards have to deal with multiple lost children, minor first aids including cuts and stings, major first aids including fractures and critical illnesses and provide safety advice to beach goers to ensure they enjoyed their day at the beach as safely as possible.
RNLI Head of Lifeguards, Robbie Warrington, said:
‘Lifeguard training starts months before they return to the beaches. The RNLI’s team of lifeguards and supervisors are busy planning and putting training in place from January in preparation for the summer.
‘Our lifeguards are always well prepared before the beaches open, that includes training, but also having the correct kit and plenty of spares. Lifeguard huts, safety messaging and kit bags are all prepared for the new season.
‘I’m confident in our lifeguard service because of all the preparation that goes into it, but also due to the dedication of our lifeguards and the time and effort they put into providing a lifesaving service.’
The RNLI, in partnership with local authorities and landowners, will carry out their usual lifeguard service this year across the UK and Channel Islands in its standard phased approach. The first set of approximately 50 beaches will go on service from Friday 31 March, ahead of the Easter holidays, and join Crosby beach which is patrolled 365 days of the year. The number of beaches will gradually increase through the season until the peak school summer holidays when over 240 beaches are patrolled.
Find your nearest at rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.
The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by 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.
If you are interested in working on the beach this summer, there are still lifeguard positions available. You will receive world-class lifesaving training, enjoy good rates of pay, the possibility of flexible working patterns and develop valuable skills for their future career. Find out more about becoming a lifeguard at rnli.org/BeALifeguard.
Notes to editor
- The RNLI would like to commemorate the sacrifice and commitment of all the lifesavers that came before, celebrate who we are and what the RNLI does today and inspire the next generation to support, donate or volunteer. For more information on the RNLI 200th anniversary: https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024
- Listen to Chris Lewis on the RNLI 200 Voices Podcast https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2023/november/200-voices-chris-lewis
- RNLI Lifeguards must complete a 400m pool swim in under 7.5 minutes, the first 200m of which must be completed in under 3.5 minutes. A 25m pool swim underwater and a 25m surface swim consecutively in under 50 seconds. And a 200m beach run in under 40 seconds.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Ellie Wainwright, RNLI Media Communications Placement, on [email protected] or 07854513319
Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202336789.
Guinness World Records:
Contact : [email protected]
Web: www.guinnessworldrecords.com
Twitter: @GWR
About Guinness World Records
What’s the fastest game bird in Europe? This was the question that inspired the founding of Guinness World Records back in 1955. Starting with a single book published from a room above a gym, GWR has grown to become a global multi-media brand, with offices in London, New York, Beijing, Tokyo, and Dubai. Today, we deliver world-class content, not just through books, but via TV shows, social media, and live events.
Our in-house consultancy works closely with brands and businesses around the world to harness the power of record-breaking and deliver award-winning campaigns and business solutions.
Through our in-house production arm, GWR Studios, we create standout content for broadcasters, brand partners, and digital platforms.
Our Entertainment Services division brings the best of the GWR brand to life in a diverse range of live experiences where visitors can discover and even attempt official world records.
Whatever the medium, our ultimate purpose is to make the world a more interesting, fun, and positive place.
To join this record-breaking community – and find out the answer to that original question – visit guinnessworldrecords.com.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.