City of Newcastle is supporting four local teens turn their surf lifesaving skills into real-world experience with an innovative trainee lifeguard program.
The six-week traineeship gives high school students the chance to work alongside professional lifeguards during the summer holidays, gaining hands-on experience patrolling Newcastle's beaches and ocean baths.
This year's school-aged summer trainees on their first day of lifeguard training at Dixon Park Beach: Liam Doyle and Lexi Sutherland sitting in rough terrain vehicle (RTV), Bronte Bowker standing. Trainee Sid Burns (not pictured) is also part of this year's intake.
Delivered in partnership with Hunter Surf Life Saving, the program has doubled in size since it was launched in 2021 as the first program of its kind in NSW.
City of Newcastle Acting Executive Director Creative & Community Services Lynn Duffy said the program plays a vital role in keeping Newcastle's beaches safe while supporting young people with meaningful, career-ready work.
"Each year more than one million people visit Newcastle's beaches, so it's important that we continue to develop and grow our professional lifeguard team to help keep our community safe," Ms Duffy said.
"Through real-world experience and guidance from professional lifeguards, our school-aged trainees get a structured introduction to lifeguarding, working weekday shifts during the busy summer holidays.
"Participants build confidence through a formal recruitment process, sharpen their surf lifesaving skills and gain on-the-job experience needed to pursue a career in lifeguarding.
"The initiative also strengthens collaboration across the sector including connections with Hunter Surf Life Saving and local clubs, while creating a local talent pipeline that supports beach safety now and into the future."
Designed for school-aged students who are already members of one of the 12 local Surf Life Saving clubs, participants complete up to 24 hours of paid rostered shifts each week, with training that includes interview preparation and formal induction for those progressing into trainee lifeguard roles.
Since launching, the initiative has kick-started the careers of around 20 casual lifeguards, many continuing to patrol Newcastle's six beaches and two ocean baths from Stockton to Merewether.
Former trainee and now City of Newcastle lifeguard Jack Johns, who grew up in Newcastle, said the traineeship helped turn his love of the ocean into a career.
"The trainee program gave me the confidence, skills and real-life experience I needed," Mr Johns said.
"Starting out as a trainee and now working as a lifeguard on the beaches I grew up on has been incredible. I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves the beach and wants a meaningful summer job with real career options."
Newcastle Councillor Jenny Barrie, who is a passionate advocate for surf lifesaving and beach safety, said the tragic start to the 2026 summer season elsewhere along the NSW coast highlighted the importance of well-trained lifeguards.
"It's been devastating to see drownings occur in other parts of the state this summer, and while none have occurred at patrolled beaches or here in Newcastle, it's a stark reminder of why investing in the training of lifeguards is so very important," Cr Barrie said.
"It's critical when you're out enjoying our beautiful beaches to follow the key water safety rules including to never swim alone and always swim between the red and yellow flags. If you're unsure conditions are safe, ask a lifeguard for advice."
