Children, aged 7-12, are training at Rawmarsh Lifesaving and Water Safety Club in Rotherham to gain a Rookie Lifeguard qualification.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Rookie Lifeguard programme teaches children basic survival, rescue and lifesaving skills to develop their confidence in the pool.

The club closely works alongside the Royal Life Saving Society guidelines to provide the children with the highest level of learning. 

It provides children with a fun and engaging way to learn essential water safety skills.

The lifesaving club also offers training for children aged 13+ to gain National Lifesaving Academy Awards. 

The club’s secretary and lifesaving instructor, James Smith, said: “The club helps safety in and around water, so no one gets in trouble and ends up having to be rescued.

“I used to do it as a child from the age of 13 until I got married at 24.

“I’ve now gone back to the same club because my kids have decided they want to do it.

“Me and my wife both did it as youngsters and now I have ended up going back.”

James said the club makes training sessions fun for the children and will often carry out role-play rescue operations.

Children are then encouraged to rescue each other under a time limit in the pool.

James said: “The balance between fun and learning is not too bad and the kids seem to really enjoy coming.”

The club even practices competition training.

Lloyd Smith, who is qualified in water safety and works as a deep sea ‘saturation’ diver, said: “ Why you should learn water safety is quite simple,

‘I have spent most of my working career at sea.

“The sea is powerful, and you can’t fight it which is why it’s important to know the basic fundamentals of safety within water”

The club meets every Friday from 7pm- 8:15pm.

Anyone is free to come along to the pool or get in touch through the club’s website https://www.rawmarshlsc.club/.