Last week, Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) hosted its third annual Rookie Lifeguard Program with an enthusiastic and skilful group of recruits ready to take on a range of fun activities designed to provide insight and skill development directly related to employment as a Lifeguard and other Support Operations roles within SLSWA.
Over the 5-day program, which was again a sell-out, Rookies participated in sessions that included Advanced Lifesaving Techniques such as rock rescues, simulated helicopter diver drops, rescue board control in the surf, Rescue Water Craft familiarisation, surfing lessons, fitness testing (including the lifeguard “mission”) and SurfCom and radio operations.
“Wow, what a crazy week! The Rookie Lifeguard Program was such a fun, interesting experience where I learnt so many things both in surf life saving and life in general. My favourite sessions were learning rock retrievals and getting a tour of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter.” – Emilio, Yanchep SLSC
“Such a cool experience to get an insight into what being a paid lifeguard is all about, as well as making lots of new friends along the way!” – Shae, Esperance Goldfields.
A big congratulations to the top ten recruits (pictured below), who will now participate in an immersion week with SLSWA’s Lifeguard Services Teams. These recruits were selected from amongst their peers based on their performance throughout the program across various areas, including leadership, fitness, First Aid/CPR scenarios and a formal interview.
| Ashley Atwell | Cottesloe SLSC |
| Kai Belmont | Sorrento SLSC |
| Tom Boisvert | Trigg Island SLSC |
| Ruby Davies-Mele | Esperance Goldfields SLSC |
| Madeleine Fox | Esperance Goldfields SLSC |
| Taleisha Hurford | Coogee Beach SLSC |
| Shae Nesbitt | Esperance Goldfields SLSC |
| Kaila Roche | Sorrento SLSC |
| Hudson Whiting | Fremantle SLSC |
| Emilio Velasco Ridley | Yanchep SLSC |
Find out more about Surf Life Saving WA’s Lifeguard Academy and the Rookie Lifeguard Program here.
