Lifesavers go back to school at Lennox Head

Thirty surf lifesavers from northern NSW and south-east Queensland are attending the 2009 Lifeguard School being held in Lennox Head next week.

The lifesavers from as far north as the Gold Coast south to Macksville have been selected to take part in the school, being held at Camp Drewe.

The school is the training program for those lifesavers who wish to be appointed as employed lifeguards over summer and is being conducted by the Australian Lifeguard Service, a division of Surf Life Saving NSW.

The program kicks off on Sunday with an 800 metre pool swim and a physical and skills assessment in testing conditions at Lennox Head Beach.  

Sessions for the remainder of the week include Beach Management and Public Safety, Advanced Emergency Care, Law Enforcement, Incident Control, Media Management, and dealing with hazardous materials.

Speakers from local councils and emergency services will deliver sessions on the Local Government Act, ambulance protocols and public relations.  

Speakers include Senior Constable Michael Hogan from the NSW Police Force, Inspector Chris Fabri from NSW Fire Brigades and Manager of Recreation and Open Spaces from Ballina Shire Council, Jillian Pratten.

“The lifeguards are being put through their paces by the training team,” said NSW Chief Lifeguard Stephen Leahy.

“Some of the younger guys and girls will feel the pressure of the surf conditions on Sunday and we will continue to test their skills and their decision-making ability over the next couple of days.”

While the school will give the students the skills to work on the beach, senior lifeguards are assessing the candidates on their suitability to be appointed as an employed Lifeguard.

“We are assessing the students’ aptitude, personality, how they handle stressful situations and how they communicate with others,” said Mr Leahy.

“Not only do we want lifeguards to be skilled rescuers, but they must have the people-skills to deal with many different situations.

“We also expect lifeguards to be wonderful ambassadors for their Council and for surf lifesaving.”

Successful lifeguards will work on beaches throughout northern NSW.

The Lifeguard School concludes on Tuesday afternoon.

Related posts:

1. Lennox Head’s Kayla Laverty named NSW Lifeguard of the Year
2. Three saved in dramatic rescue at Lennox Head
3. Surf lifesavers return to our beaches this weekend
4. Lennox Head win back-to-back FNC rugby grand finals
5. Surfers, swimmers rescued at Byron Bay, Lennox Head

Related Articles:

Related posts:

1. Lennox Head’s Kayla Laverty named NSW Lifeguard of the Year
2. Three saved in dramatic rescue at Lennox Head
3. Surf lifesavers return to our beaches this weekend
4. Lennox Head win back-to-back FNC rugby grand finals
5. Surfers, swimmers rescued at Byron Bay, Lennox Head