Lifeguards look to becoming career life-savers

PHUKET: More people are looking to become lifeguards as a career choice, says Prathaiyuth Chuayuan, president of the Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC).

The news comes after the Phuket Lifesaving Carnival, held at Kata Beach last Saturday, saw a record 56 entrants compete in the annual beach sports event.

“It is very good thing that once they finish training with us, they can work as lifeguards with other businesses. They can use the certificates issued by Phuket Provincial Administration Organization to apply for jobs,” he said.

“Certified lifeguards are now highly sought after. A lot of hotel representatives have contacted me to find lifeguards to work at their hotels,” Mr Prathaiyuth said.

The event last Saturday attracted employees from hotels in Bang Tao, Patong, Karon and even offshore on Koh Yao, he said.

The competition, from 10am to 1pm, included beach running, swimming, board races and an “iron-man” event combining the three surf life-saving skills.

“Last year, not many people participated in the competition because we held training sessions one month before it. So this year we had people participating in the training sessions join the competition right after they finished their training,” Mr Prathaiyuth.

“The skills are freshly taught and they can get the idea that lifeguard skills are not just a means of work, but can be fun as sports and exercise too,” he said.

The PLC plans to launch monthly training sessions for the public at beaches around Phuket in the near future, he added.

— Janpen Upatising