MEMBERS of Droitwich Life Saving Club got to test out their skills in another environment when they headed to Barry Island to undertake some beach training.
There were 36 children, leaders and parents who made the journey from the town’s leisure centre to South Wales.
Eight members were from the club’s rookie section, which is for those aged ten to 13, and 14 were from the senior group – for those 13 and over.
Three teaching sessions over two days saw seniors achieve their bronze or silver Survive and Save Beach award, while rookie group members worked towards the Rookie Lifeguard Beach, Beach Running, Paddleboard, Communications and Water Safety awards.
Whitmore Bay Lifeguard Club lent members the use of their clubhouse, equipment and even two lifeguards for the duration of their stay.
And, as well as the learning and testing, there was also time for those who went down to enjoy some games and beach fun.
Club chairperson Rhian Hughes said the weekend was such a success and he was so proud of the club.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather or a nicer bunch of kids to take away.
“They’ve all enjoyed it immensely, as have all the leaders, and hopefully they have all learnt something too.
“Being in the Midlands we obviously don’t get much of a chance to experience beach lifesaving, so we were keen to give our members the opportunity to experience cold water, tides, currents, changing weather conditions – all of which can contribute to an incident and affect a rescue.”
He thanked Whitmore Bay Lifeguard Club for its welcome and said he was confident all of the Droitwich Life Saving Club members who took part in the trip could now perform a rescue in a beach setting if they needed to.
Club secretary Heather Gow added “It’s so important for people to experience these conditions and learn about the dangers on beaches, especially with so many of us going off on beach holidays.”
Members of Droitwich Life Saving Club train on Sunday evenings between 6pm and 8pm at Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre.
Visit www.droitwichlifesavers.co.uk or email [email protected] for more information or call Rhian Hughes on 07814 227688 or Heather Gow on 07891 665367.
The organisation is also on Facebook and Twitter.
