'I wanted to be a lifeguard since forever'

An RNLI lifeguard based in Newquay said being a lifeguard was his "dream job", ahead of the service returning to beaches across the South West for 2025.

Harry Reed, 25, said he had wanted to be a lifeguard "since forever", so it was "a dream job", despite the challenges the job sometimes came with.

Mr Reed said he had based his whole life around being a lifeguard, adding he "won't ever stop".

Earlier this week, RNLI figures showed lifeguards saved 43 lives in the South West region last year.

During the Easter holidays, from Saturday 5 to Monday 21 April, RNLI lifeguards will patrol 26 beaches across the region, the charity said.

Mr Reed said: "I'm born and bred here in Newquay and I used to look up to lifeguards when I was younger, I always wanted to be one.

"As soon as I hit the age of 16, 17, I applied straight away.

"I joined the local surf lifesaving club and based my whole life on doing this and I won't ever stop.

"I wanted to be a lifeguard since forever, so it's a dream job.

"You're on the beach every day keeping fit and you're with your mates.

"You know, it's the best thing, it's the best job."

He said being a lifeguard carried heavy responsibilities, adding it was not always possible to save lives.

The 25-year-old said the team worked together to look after each other when times were tough.

"We have got really amazing support with the RNLI team so we do have somebody we can go to," he said.

Mr Reed said: "Also we're all so close like a massive family here, so we just talk to each other, we always check in with our colleagues.

"It's really important."

Agustin 'Gus' Lanzavecchia is a 39-year-old Argentinian who began his RNLI career as a lifeguard during the summer months, and now fundraises and speaks for the charity during the winters.

Mr Lanzavecchia has been living and working in the UK for the past 11 years.

He said: "I became a professional lifeguard in my country in 2010 and I was after some opportunities to work through Argentina's winter, which is the UK summer.

"I applied for the RNLI and I fell in love with the institution and I made my way up in a couple of departments."

Three years ago Mr Lanzavecchia moved from Scarborough to Newquay, where he now works all-year round for the charity.

He said: "I was a senior lifeguard in Whitby for seven summers and I decided to move to a warmer place with more consistent surf and the RNLI has big coverage in this area, as well."

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