With the summer fast approaching and beaches across the UK and Ireland requiring beach lifeguards, Surf Life Saving Association Wales (SLSA Wales) and RLSS UK are offering support, and guidance, to ensure the RNLI, and beach operators, can recruit, train and supply beach lifeguards to keep the public using beaches safe.

You can find the full SLSA Wales and RLSS UK position statement on NVBLQ for 2021 here.

Existing qualification holder

We are aware that many NVBLQ holders struggled to renew their qualification in 2020 due to various government restrictions. Working with RNLI, and, in order to support beach operators and qualification holders seeking employment, we have agreed the following extension:

All NVBLQ holders expiring between 16 March 2020 and 30 June 2021 that require the qualification for employment or patrolling reasons, will have their qualification extended until 30 June 2021.  

This will provide those qualification holders affected with time to work with SLSA Wales or RLSS UK to find an NVBLQ assessment where they can take part and gain another 2-year qualification.

There is no requirement to be a member of either organisation to complete a renewal assessment, and completing an independent assessment to gain another qualification is a robust and professional way to prove qualification competency.

Free online ongoing training with competency assessment

Beach operators and employers are responsible for ensuring beach lifeguards are competent, but we are pleased to continue to offer any NVBLQ holder free, online, ongoing training, to help keep their knowledge and understanding refreshed. This can be accessed, by registering (free of charge) for an account here. There is no cost to do this and, a lifeguard can complete six ongoing training sessions, including competency assessment, and download a certificate following successful, completion of each session.

Training new qualification holders

SLSA Wales and RLSS UK are proud to have supported the industry and beach lifeguards in 2020 by creating clear guidance in order to allow training and assessment for NVBLQ to continue safely during the period of COVID. RLSS UK guidance can be found here.

Once it is safe to do so, SLSA Wales and RLSS UK NVBLQ Trainer Assessors will be ready to support and deliver NVBLQ training courses and assessments.

You can find RLSS UK courses here or, if you need help finding a Trainer, Assessor, or training centre, please email [email protected].

RNLI are recruiting now – click here for more information.