Setback for beach lifeguard hopes

Wayne Adams died after swimming off St Bees

Plans for lifeguards to patrol a Cumbrian beach this summer suffered a setback after volunteers failed to pass Royal Lifesaving Society tests.

Copeland Borough Council had hoped to have patrols on the beach at St Bees, where Wayne Adams, 10, died last year.

The summer patrols will not now take place, but the volunteers are keen to gain the higher level of fitness required to be a lifeguard.

It is hoped a revised training programme will start in September.

Wayne died saving his 11-year-old brother Jason, when they got into trouble in the sea last August.

We are disappointed that the volunteers were unable to gain the grade this time Brian Parr, Lifeguards 4 Us

Each volunteer lifeguard has free access to Whitehaven pool to continue their training.

Anthony Fletcher, who underwent the training, said: "The standard required was high, but I am confident that by using Copeland's leisure facilities we can improve our level of fitness to that required."

Brian Parr, chairman of the Lifeguards 4 Us group in Cumbria, said: "We are disappointed that the volunteers were unable to gain the grade this time.

"As a group we were keen to see lifeguards on the beach at St Bees but there is no point in rushing this if it means safety standards are compromised."

The Royal Lifesaving Society fitness standard requires lifeguards are able to swim 400m in eight minutes.

Coun Geoff Blackwell added: "It is absolutely critical that if there are lifeguards on any of Copeland's beaches, then they must be able to do the job to the highest standard.

"I am pleased that we will be continuing to work with the candidates to improve their fitness, so they can go on to offer an excellent service."