SLSNZ’s elite lifeguards prepare to level up at National Lifeguard School

A group of Kiwi heroes already dedicated to saving lives is about to become even more super when they hit the beaches in a couple of weeks for this season’s National Lifeguard School. This training will upskill them to Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s highest lifeguard qualification – The Advanced Lifeguard Award.

20 lifeguards from around the country will be learning about some of the more difficult and demanding emergency situations lifeguards can face, including mass rescue scenarios, search and rescue operations, advanced rock rescues, and complex first aid scenarios.

Candidates will be taught theory and practical skills, get the opportunity to run through acted scenarios, and be tested physically and mentally, to become among the fittest and most capable lifeguards on the beach. 

 “They’re already out there saving lives on our beaches before they reach this school.”

Slement said the intensive and action-packed school gives lifeguards the chance to try the new skills and see how situations might play out, with expert instructors able to guide them and talk them through examples from actual rescues.

“This is the super-elite of our training. Around the country, lifeguards get faced with a varied level of complex situations, and these advanced lifeguards will be skilled in how to direct their patrol members when challenging situations happen. These are the people selected from their clubs to learn the most technical skills and to put that to use in the most challenging situations when lives are on the line.

Candidates for this year’s National Lifeguard School are:

Instructors and Mentors for this year are: