The joys and benefits of becoming an open water lifeguard

Lifeguarding is a brilliant way to “give back” to outdoor swimming

In the real world, OWL doesn’t stand for Ordinary Wizarding Level but for Open Water Lifeguard. But there’s magic in becoming a lifeguard. Not only can you support other people’s open water swimming adventures, you open the door for some exciting and unique experiences for yourself. Georgia Perrin is a volunteer Open Water Lifeguard. We caught up with her at the Henley Swim Festival to find out more.

Outdoor Swimmer. What’s the best thing about being an Open Water Lifeguard?

Georgia Perrin: I have too many best things of being a volunteer OWL! It has opened all sorts of experiences to me such as new places to swim and explore, meeting other swimmers and lifeguards and even opportunities to lifeguard filmed events (although it hasn’t been the right timing for me to do this yet). It is rewarding to feel you’re helping others to swim more safely and offer advice and reassurance. But probably my “best” thing about it is when someone is nervous or having second thoughts about a swim. Then, afterwards, they feel so good about their swim and for pushing themselves and are grateful for your support. 

OS: Where do you think your passion for volunteering comes from?

GP: I think my passion for volunteering as an OWL has stemmed from my passion for open water swimming. A friend of mine got me into this just after covid and I haven’t looked back. I actually convinced her to do her OWL training and we completed it together. I am a critical care nurse, so safety is always something I am constantly aware of. Doing my OWL training seemed the natural thing to improve my own skills and knowledge of water safety but has now become something I can pass on to others and help them too. I’ve been a nurse since I was 18 and I still feel passionately about, but I think the passion I have for OW lifeguarding and open water swimming is now on par.

OS: Where’s the best place you have volunteered?

GP: I think the coolest place I have volunteered at was a festival last year. I worked overnight and what made it so different was that the aim was to keep people out of the water instead of keeping them safe whilst they are in it. This was very different but equally enjoyable and involved many a conversation with “happy” festival goers joking they would jump in. My favourite place to lifeguard is the Henely Swim Festival. I’ve been lucky enough to volunteer there for the past two years and I love it. It is a small festival but a large swim event and I love being surrounded by likeminded people who share my passion for swimming. Volunteering there has also meant I am able to take part in the event and I even dragged my partner along this year. He volunteered in a land-based role as he won’t try open water swimming (yet!).

OS: How do you fit it all in?

GP: It is sometimes difficult to fit in volunteering alongside my day job of being a nurse and a full-time mum to two teenage boys! But I volunteer at a local lake on weekends when I’m not working and try to do other events if I can book time off or fit it around my work and in with some swimming for myself.

OS: What has being an open water lifeguard taught you about open water swimming?

GP: Apart from the safety aspects, dangers and practical skills, I think the biggest thing lifeguarding has taught me is the difference the weather and seasons make to open water swimming. I am a keen cold-water swimmer and as much as I love the summer events and swimming, I always look forward to the winter as the cold water brings a different type of swimmer to the lake. The cold water brings a different focus for me when lifeguarding. It is often once a swimmer gets out that hypothermia can be seen and take a hold which is probably what I fear the most as a lifeguard but also as a swimmer. There is a clear cut off I’ve noticed in October. As the temperature drops several swimmers say goodbye and that they’ll see me back in April or May, as they’re not into the cold water but the “crazy” swimmers like me appear often in skins for the winter. I used to feel depressed and low as we headed into winter but now I look forward to it as much as the summer! 

OS: Why should our readers consider becoming open water lifeguards? And how would they go about it?

GP: I am a complete advocate for becoming an OWL! The benefits are huge. Apart from it being so rewarding and meeting new people and places, the safety aspects and first aid are so valuable. I would recommend the course to anyone who wants to improve their knowledge and skills of open water swimming for their own safety or to then volunteer like I do. OWL courses are run and regulated by the RLSS. To apply you can search for courses on the RLSS website, but there are a few prerequisites:

• To be over the age of 16 at the time of assessment
• To be competent and comfortable in open water
• To be able to submerge under water confidently 
• And to be able to swim 400m in pool/open water swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency 

Find out more: rlss.org.uk/open-water-lifeguard-qualifications