The Lifeboat College

Soon I am off to the RNLI Lifeboat College in Poole for a introduction to working for the RNLI.

It looks like an amazing facility, with a wave machine to rival anyones local pool!

Its a Shark!

Below is a picture of a Rescue Shark. A special kayak designed in the 60’s for lifeguarding. The desgin and construction has been changed slightly over the years, but esentialy the shark remains the same today.

The shark has bulkheads, which enables it to float even when the cockpit is full of water. The rear deck is flat to enable you to easily carry people.

These are the craft we shall be using at Blenheim this weekend. All the lifeguards have been recruited and fingers crossed for everything to go well!

Blenheim Triathlon

Blenheim is the first triathlon event in the year that HCL provide water safety for. Only a week away and the pressure is on to make sure everything is organised, lifeguards food, camping….

 

The triathlon is split in to heats, each heat can have up to 200 athletes in it, this is a lot of people in the water at one time and keeping an eye on them is no easy task!

Sandy Bay

The biggest caravan park I have ever seen! Luckily it’s attached to a great beach that stretches from the end of Exmouth promenade all the way to the military firing range to the east.

Sandy Bay.

This is where I will be spending my summer. Working for the RNLI as a Beach Lifeguard.

History Of HCL

My local unit Herts Canoe Lifeguards have been around a while. The unit formed in 1987 when two neighbouring groups, Harlow Canoe Lifeguards and Herts Canoe Rescue merged.

Herts Canoe lifeguards are part of the British Canoe Union or BCU as they are also known. The BCU have a specialist lifeguard committee, responsible for the Canoe Lifeguards awards, national lifeguarding events and also liaising with the RLSS and SLSA.

Over the years HCL have been responsible for lifeguarding at many different events. This summer is no different; the unit will be providing cover for several triathlons, open water swims and canoe races.

Canoe Lifeguards Convention

Last weekend was the Canoe Lifeguards convention in Weymouth. A great opportunity to undertake a variety of training and catch up with many other likeminded people.

The picture below shows one of the rescue helicopters based at Portland used by MCGA. Some of us were lucky enough to be able to train with rescue chopper Wiskey Bravo and both the Weymouth Lifeboats.

Rescue Helicopter Victor Alpha ready for action.

The runway. Apparently large helicopters require a run up before they get airborne!

The world wide interwebnet.

I have never run, designed or made a website and don’t claim to be a computer wizard. However, hopefully I will utilise this space on the world wide interwebnet to show you some of the work my local voluntary lifeguard unit do and the some of work the RNLI lifeguards do.