RNLI Beach Lifeguards currently operates only in the South West of England, but the RNLI is working hard to ensure the development of lifeguarding all around the coastThe RNLI is committed to maintaining its volunteer ethos. This does not only apply to its lifeboat crews. The RNLI recognises that the future of lifeguarding in the UK and Republic of Ireland depends on the continuing development of volunteer lifeguard clubs. By working with and supporting the Royal Life Saving Society, United Kingdom (RLSS UK) and the Surf Life Saving Association of Great Britain (SLSA GB), the RNLI will help develop a highquality lifeguard service that will save lives at sea for years to come.

In 2003 the RNLI appointed Tony Clare as Volunteer Development Officer. His job is to help the volunteer lifesaving clubs and RNLI Beach Lifeguards work and develop together.

Tony was helmsman at New Brighton lifeboat station for 22 years and he is also a qualified and experienced lifeguard, so he is perfect for the job. Tony comments: 'I came to the RNLI as crew 30 years ago and I was one of the first to come from lifeguarding. I still patrol as a lifeguard and this experience gives me an appreciation of the great demands we make on our lifeguards.' Many of the skills are transferable from lifeguards to lifeboat crew and several lifeguards in Cornwall also crew for the RNLI.

To develop stronger links between the RNLI and volunteer lifeguard clubs, Tony made visiting the clubs in person a priority.

He reflects: 'It's very much face-to-face contact that helps build the relationships and opens up channels of communication.' As an experienced lifeguard, Tony sometimes actually gets in the water with them during training sessions, which gives him instant credibility with often fiercely independent clubs. 'I make it clear to the clubs that the RNLI values what they're doing and that it's a two-way thing: we have a tot to learn from each other,' enthuses Tony.

The finest method of training lifeguards is through the club system. The RNLI encourages club volunteers who are registered with the RNLI to gain experience by patrolling alongside the highly trained, well-equipped RNLI beach lifeguards.

A successful scheme the RNLI set up in 2003 is the distribution of used local authority lifeguard equipment to clubs working alongside the RNLI.The second-hand equipment ranges from rescue boards and tubes to boats, VHP radios and first aid equipment. It is used in training volunteer lifeguards, not for rescue operations. About 20 clubs have benefited from this so far and Tony will be making contact with five more clubs in North Cornwall soon.

The RNLI knows that it is vital for all lifeguards to have quality training. Tony comments, 'The RNLI already has a justly fine reputation for the training offered to our lifeboat crews and it is essential that this is carried through and maintained at the highest possible standard for beach lifeguards.1 From 2005 the volunteers who register with the RNLI will be eligible for the RNLI's competence-based training scheme.

The skills of the lifeguards will be officially recognised by a respected qualification. The training will also highlight the wide variety of skills that are needed in lifeguarding, as Tony explains: 'It's not all about being able to swim 400m in less than 7 minutes 30 seconds.Lifeguards will also be recognised for other skills such as surveillance and communication with the public. It's a great development for lifeguard ing.' The RNLI is also keen to help clubs grow outside of the RNLI Beach Lifeguards operational areas.The RNLI uses its reputation and contacts to help with promotion of events and sponsorship for local clubs.

The RNLI helps club members to achieve the full lifeguard qualification. With an additional 15 beaches to patrol and as many as 70 lifeguards joining the RNLI in 2004 in North Cornwall, those with training are in increasingly high demand. In 2003 a bursary scheme with the RLSS UK and SLSA GB helped with the cost of training around 500 volunteer lifeguards at clubs all around the coast.

In 2004 each club can make a bid for funding for individual items such as a training board or first aid equipment. This will give the clubs control and ownership of the help they request from the RNLI.

It isn't just the adult volunteer lifeguards that Tony has been working with. He has also built up a relationship with many of the 'nipper' and 'junior' sections of the clubs.

In five or ten years' time there should be a large pool of lifeguards to choose from.

By opening up the communication channels with the clubs, there are many advantages for the RNLI. For example,Tony has sent out a survey to all clubs asking about their resources. Results will show how many clubs are well resourced with lifeguards and rescue boats, and also show where the gaps are. This information is vital for long-term RNLI lifeboat and lifeguard operational planning.

'Many volunteer lifeguards see their work as an opportunity to put something back into the community. In this way they're a lot like lifeboat crews.' Tony Clare Throughout 2004 the RNLI will be working to increase awareness of volunteer lifeguarding.The aim of this is two fold: firstly it will help with lifeguard recruitment and secondly it will make the public more aware of how the RNLI is supporting volunteers at the beaches around the UK and Republic of Ireland. For example, early in 2004 Tony attended the London International Boatshow with a team of RNLI volunteer lifeguards. These volunteers stood alongside the lifeboat crew, fundraising and Sea Safety volunteers. Tony was delighted with the impression they made on the crowds: 'They were a credit to the RNLI and proved the benefits of working together for the common good.' Originally on a 12-month secondment within the RNLI from the Sea Safety team to Beach Lifeguards, Tony was due to return to his position of Sea Safety Coordinator in the north of England on 1 July 2004. It is in recognition of the importance of the volunteer scheme that this secondment is being extended by six more months to enable Tony to attend feedback meetings once the lifeguarding season is over and to help to fine tune strategies. Then he'll work with the clubs to produce a policy to help RNLI Beach Lifeguards and the clubs maintain their highly beneficial links in the long term..