Saving lives and designing clothes: Meet the Swansea lifeguard in RNLI podcast

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has launched a five-episode podcast to mark 25 years since the rollout of its lifeguarding service – featuring conversations with lifeguards, those who have been rescued and exploring how they have been making beaches safer since 2001.

In the final episode of WE ARE LIFEGUARDS: Saving Lives on the Beach with the RNLI, we hear why lifeguards love the job – and the opportunities it can lead to. From creative side-hustles to careers in the emergency services, the episode dives into the fascinating professional lives of current and former lifeguards.

Leni Beard age 20, has helped to keep the Swansea beaches safe since 2021, balancing being a RNLI lifeguard with her growing fashion business Leni B Designs. Leni said:

‘I have always loved being outdoors, growing up on the Swansea coast and spending many hours in the sea.

‘From a young age I was part of Langland Lifesaving Club that naturally led me onto lifeguarding for the RNLI.’

Outside of lifeguarding for the RNLI, Leni is studying fashion design at London College of Fashion, continuing her creative pursuits as she steps into the industry. Leni began her business at the end of 2024, crafting a range of trousers by recycling her mum’s striped tablecloth.

‘I didn’t intent to start a business, it all happened really organically, I just enjoy being creative and turned a tablecloth into trousers. After making my first pair I received a few compliments, so I began making them for friends and that’s where it really took off.’

In the Swansea area, RNLI beach lifeguards have saved 24 lives and aided 3,347 people since the service was rolled out in 2008.

Tom John, Seasonal Lifeguard Supervisor for the Swansea area said:

‘In the RNLI we love to see the talent our lifeguards have in and outside of work. Each and every one of the lifeguards in the Swansea team has their own uniqueness or hidden talent, everyone has a good thing going on!’

For the last 25 years, RNLI lifeguards have been making beaches safer across the UK. They share safety advice, provide first aid to those who need it and save the lives of those who get in trouble in the water.

During that time, they have made more than 48 million preventative actions, attended more than 330,000 incidents and aided more than 440,000 people on beaches around the UK and the Channel Islands.

Peter Dawes, General Manager of Lifeguard Operations, said: ‘Since our lifeguarding service began in 2001, we’ve seen more people visit our beaches and enjoying the water.

‘Our highly trained, capable and skilled lifeguards spend their time talking to people, sharing our safety advice and educating visitors about the dangers. As well as carrying out rescues and first aid.

‘The launch of this podcast not only marks our 25th anniversary, but also the return of lifeguards to beaches ahead of what will be another busy summer. If you are heading to the coast, be sure to choose a RNLI lifeguarded beach.’

You can listen to We Are Lifeguards at https://rnli.org/WeAreLifeguards or wherever you find your podcasts.

To find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach, visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.