These are the best photos from all the beach lifeguard courses run by NSVL at Whitley Bay from 2001 to present. The photos chart the progress of over 150 people from shivering wrecks in the 4°C heat of the North Sea to fully-fledged lifeguards...(and still shivering wrecks!)
We have many more photos from courses if any of the people who attended would like copies. High resolution copies of most photos are available on request.
In a week that saw just about every sea condition and weather type possible, another six trainees were put through their paces. People came from all over the UK to attend the course, one was even a firefighter - used to much warmer temperatures than the North Sea! But they all survived to qualify as Beach Lifeguards - and they enjoyed it so much they said they'll come back to train with us in the summer!
The big storms of autumn 2002 took their toll on Whitley Bay
beach and by the time of the Beach Lifeguard course in October 2002 the two
miles of golden sands had been scoured away leaving only pebbles and rocks.
That, coupled with the extremely rough seas for the whole duration of the
course, proved to be problematic, but we persevered and got through it - even
if the final assessment had to be held in Cullercoats Bay with the (relative)
protection of the piers.
Apologies for the darkness and graininess of some of the pictures, but the
assessment was conducted in the rainy, windy, gloomy conditions of Sunday
15th December.
After a successful summer season, 9 lifeguards renewed their lifeguard qualification with another 9 members of staff providing the bodies!
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