RNLI lifeguards spent a week on the Isles of Scilly in September, training a group of locals in surf lifesaving.

The group of 12 can now provide safety cover at the sea-based events that are at the heart of Scillonian life.

At the end of the week, the trainees were put through their paces, and 11 of the 12 qualified as surf lifesavers. The other participant, local Guesthouse Manager Nick Lishman, went one better, gaining a beach lifeguard qualification after swimming 400m in 7½ minutes and running 200m on sand in 40 seconds. (Surf lifesavers must be able to complete the swim in 9 minutes and the run in 1 minute.)

The newly qualified surf lifesavers were then able to support the Inter-Island Charity Walk on 28 September. The event, which benefits charities including the RNLI, takes walkers around the isles at extremely low tide, when it is possible to walk, wade or paddle from one island to another.

Event Organiser Clare Lewis says: ‘It is a unique opportunity to see the islands from a completely different vantage in a safe and enjoyable way, which only happens once or twice a year depending on the tidal systems being favourable.’ In previous years, Clare had to invite lifeguards from Cornwall to cover the walk, but now island residents will be able to keep participants safe.

RNLI Divisional Lifeguard Manager Greg Spray, who was one of the training team, says: ‘Training local residents gives the Scillonians the opportunity to set up their own surf lifesaving club, where they can train their own lifeguards and continue to grow the pool of qualified people who can provide safety cover at all sorts of water-based events in the future.’

Lifeboat cover around the Isles of Scilly is provided by a Severn class lifeboat, The Whiteheads, stationed at St Mary’s.