Sam Kendrick

Stephen Pullinger Monday, February 18, 2013 8:56 AM

A rare opportunity has arisen for strong swimmers to join Norfolks very own Baywatch team.

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The RNLI has been successfully patrolling beaches in Norfolk since 2007 and has a number of summer vacancies for recruits aged 16 and over to join its experienced returning beach lifeguards.

Lifeguard supervisor Sam Kendrick, responsible for RNLI patrolled beaches from Gorleston to Sheringham, said: Usually we can fill all the vacancies with existing lifeguards and through word of mouth so this is a rare opportunity.

Stressing the importance of the role on beaches which can become packed with thousands of people on sunny days, he highlighted the fact that RNLI lifeguards saved four lives along the Norfolk coast last year, including two swimmers who got into trouble near the reefs at Sea Palling.

He said: In total, during the holiday season we were involved in 673 incidents on beaches from Gorleston through to Sheringham, including rescues, assists, finding lost children and administering first aid.

Lifeguards have to be very adaptable as the job is very varied. On one day in Mundesley last summer 23 people had to be treated for painful weever fish stings.

Mr Kendrick said he was confident that the professionalism of the RNLI had improved the lifeguard service across the county since they had taken over patrols in North Norfolk in 2007 and the Great Yarmouth area from 2008.

Excerpt from:

Call for lifeguard recruits on Norfolk beaches