Spare a Thought for the Lifeguards

The Rip Curl Boardmasters at Fistral beach, Newquay, is in full swing with heavy, shifting surf that might test many a reasonable surfer’s ability to paddle out, let alone a novice. There that is demanding swell is a good thing for the contest, but it is also a timely reminder of just how important our lifeguards are. As much as the Boardmasters is the premier annual showcase for surfing in Britain, the role of lifeguards and the need for greater public awareness of sea conditions is vital. One organisation looking to highlight this is Bude-based Adventure International, who, between 13 and 19 August, will be running a residential adventure week in which children can learn to surf and train with RNLI lifeguards.

Hamish MacKenzie, RNLI co-ordinator at Adventure International, sums up the rationale behind the week: “Every year in Devon and Cornwall, a number of people get into trouble in the sea. A disproportionate amount is from cities, so we decided to put together courses to promote awareness and understanding of sea conditions among urban children and teenagers. We’re offering an all-inclusive residential adventure week where kids will train with RNLI beach lifeguards, learn to surf and pass their first lifesaving qualification. The aim is to raise awareness of beach safety and engage young people through the ocean environment.”

MacKenzie says the course is the first of its kind in the UK, and alongside the training in the water other adventure activities will be offered, including abseiling down 140ft Cornish cliffs, a high ropes course, and the chance to tackle a 60ft climbing wall. “The week is about personal development and team-building,” says MacKenzie, himself a lifeguard and surfer, but the hard work will also be leavened by entertainment such as beach BBQs, live bands and talent nights. Those signing up will also be able to try out the latest in equipment from leading surfboard manufacturer Tiki, the course sponsor.

Bude has a rich history in British surfing. The Ash brothers, Joss and Reubyn, are currently two of the UK’s hottest surfers, while the Bude Surf Lifesaving Club, on Crooklets beach on the north side of Bude town, is the oldest in Britain. The club was formed in 1953 by Alan Kennedy, a lifeguard from Bell’s Beach, Australia. Another Bude beach, Summerleaze, may look messy and unappealing with today’s prevailing conditions, but it has a number of waves that work in cleaner, bigger swells. Summerleaze also features one of only three sea pools in the UK, which will be used by Adventure International for its training week.

My own experience of surfing in the Bude area is confined to one session at nearby Widemouth Bay too long ago to mention. But I will confess that I was caught out by a rip that I simply hadn’t seen from the beach. A lot of hard paddling later, I was back on dry land, without having to call on the lifeguards. But I was glad that they were there. All of us who enjoy the sea should do well to remember the lifeguards’ unsung work – and encourage courses such as that soon to be hosted by Adventure International.

See www.budesurfingexperience.co.uk and www.adventure.uk.com for more information.