Trainee Lifeguard

The Wave Group; West of England; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days paid holiday

Free staff surf sessions

Discounts across surf offerings

Job summary

The Wave is seeking a Trainee Lifeguard to deliver safe, unforgettable surf experiences at the lake, supporting operations and guest service.

You will train on the RLSS NVBLQ Lifeguard Course, commit to the 6-day program, work weekends and school holidays, and provide a clear DBS certificate. This fixed-term, 28-hour weekly role offers a supportive team and opportunities for future seasons.

Qualifications

• Must be able to commit to the 6-day RLSS NVBLQ Lifeguard Course
• Able to commit to a 28 hour per week fixed-term contract in 2026
• Must provide a clear DBS check dated after offers and before course start

Responsibilities

• Maintain safety of all lake users through lifeguard rotations
• Deliver lifeguarding duties in line with training standards
• Carry out equipment checks and ensure safety gear is ready
• Respond to incidents, administer first aid, and complete incident reports
• Support surf operations including customer check-in, equipment sorting and visitor flow
• Communicate clearly with surfers, hosts and Surf Ops team
• Ensure surfer numbers, waivers, helmet compliance and session rules
• Promote a positive, welcoming atmosphere with high service standards
• Assist with opening/closing procedures and overall site cleanliness

Skills

Calm under pressure

Safety-focused

Team player

Customer communication

Proactive

Job description

We understand a barrier to achieving the required coaching qualifications can often be the cost and the location of course providers. We want to make this easier for aspiring Lifeguards . We will therefore cover the cost of you training upfront, provide equipment and ensure you have guaranteed work for the season ahead.

The first step of your Lifeguard training will be completing our first RLSS NVBLQ Lifeguard Course, running from 20 th – 28 th March 2026 (20 th – 22 nd & 26 th – 28 th ).

To be considered you must be able to commit to the following:

• Available for the duration of the 6-day RLSS NVBLQ course at Porthcawl
• Can meet the timed swim target of 400m in 7.5 minutes
• You must be available to work shift work, weekends and the duration of the school holidays
• Able to commit to a 28 hour per week fixed-term contract throughout out 2026 season
• Able to provide us with a clear DBS check certificate dated after any offers of employment and prior to commencing the course.

The Training Contract

You will be required to enter into a training agreement, whereby, subject to completing a minimum amount of hours during your employment you will incur no charge for the cost of the course. For individuals who don’t meet these hours, a proportionate charge will be deducted on your final pay. The training agreement will set out the full cost implications.

What happens at the end of the contract?

It may be possible for the participants to continue working for us beyond the end of the fixed-term contract. We also hope that we would see you return as part of The Wave family in subsequent seasons

Who We Are

The Wave is a place where people and naturecome together - creating the right environment for people to thrive - our guests, our team, and our community. Our purpose is to nurture a world of health, hope and happiness with every wave. We’re driven by a spirit of innovation, purpose and possibility.

Our Values – We Are FAIR

• Fun– We take fun seriously! We put smiles on faces.
• Adventurous– We’re game changers, adaptable and explore with optimism.
• Impact– We’re here to create a healthier connection between people and planet.
• Respect– We care for each other, our customers and our community.

These values guide how we show up, how we make decisions, and how we work together - every day, in every role.

About the Role

As a Trainee Lifeguard at The Wave, you’ll play a vital role in delivering safe, unforgettable surf experiences. You’ll be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of water safety, supporting surf operations, and delivering excellent customer service both on and off the lake.

This is a hands-on role requiring vigilance, confidence, and strong communication skills in a fast-paced environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintain the safety of all lake users through active supervision and lifeguard rotations
• Deliver professional lifeguarding duties in line with EAPs, SOPs and training standards
• Carry out visual equipment checks and ensure all safety equipment is rescue-ready
• Respond confidently to incidents, administer first aid, and complete incident reports
• Support surf operations including checking in customers,sorting and cleaning equipment and visitor flow
• Communicate clearly with surfers, hosts and the wider Surf Ops team
• Ensure correct surfer numbers, waiver checks, helmet compliance and session rules
• Promote a positive, welcoming atmosphere while delivering high standards of customer service
• Support cleanliness, organisation and smooth daily opening and closing procedures

About You

• You’re calm under pressure, proactive and safety-focused, with a passion for working outdoors and supporting great guest experiences.
• A n aspiring Lifeguard w ho wants to develop their skills and knowledge of safety, first aid and lifeguarding
• Confidence communicating with a wide range of customers
• A team player who works well in dynamic, operational environments
• A positive, professional attitude aligned with our FAIR values

What We Offer

We aim to create a workplace where people feel valued, energised and able to bring their best. At The Wave you’ll find:

• 30 days paid holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Free access to our staff surf sessions.
• Multiple discounts across our surf and other offerings.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We’re built on the idea that everyone should have the chance to experience the joy of surfing and the outdoors - and that starts with our own team. We’re committed to creating a place where people genuinely feel like they belong and be themselves.

We welcome different backgrounds , perspectives and experiences, and we work hard to make sure the right people are in the right roles, with the support they need to thrive.

Please note you will be required to complete a timed swim for this interview process.

This is a fixed-term contract that will run from Monday 30th March to either Wednesday 2nd September or Sunday 4th October (to be discussed at Interview).