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Heading for Saint-Malo with future lifeguard swimmers. Last season, many municipalities were unable to recruit the necessary staff to ensure security on public beaches. Report during the integration day, on the beach of Rochebonne.
On Rochebonne beach in Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine), young people are preparing to become lifeguards at sea. They are between 16 and 18 years old, and all have already passed the selection tests. They will start their training in a few months. “I love the sea, and I think helping people is important”, confides a young girl, on an integration day. The exercises are close to their future profession: running and swimming in the open sea.
At the edge of the water, the trainers observe them and try to identify the best elements. “There are some who already have techniques that we haven’t even taught them, so it’s super interesting”, notes Emma Juette, trainer at SNSM 35. In two years, these young people will train within the association, before monitoring the 250 beaches on the coast. The average salary is 1,500 euros net, recruitment is increasingly difficult. “The average lifespan of a lifeguard career, I think it’s three years”says David Compain, trainer at SNSM 35. On average, 2,000 lifeguard swimmers graduate each year, a figure well below the needs of the sector.