It’s cold and it’s wet, the perfect conditions for the RNLI to start putting prospective Sheppey lifeguards through their paces.

Supervisor Tom Thorndycraft has been on windswept Sheerness Promenade teaching raw recruits how to rescue swimmers from the waves as he builds a new Island team for the summer.

He said: “We are making a big splash to recruit more lifeguards. We need two for each of our three sites at Sheerness, Minster and Leysdown. It’s the perfect summer job for those who enjoy talking to people and like working outdoors with water.”

Joining the trainees were Madison North, 17, from Leysdown and Daniel Bonthuys , 22, from Canterbury.

Daniel has just finished a sports science degree at the University of West England, Bristol.

He said: “A friend told me the RNLI was looking for Sheppey lifeguards. I thought it would be great.”

Is he hoping to follow in the footsteps of Baywatch stars David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson?

“No, the costumes are too tight,” he said, with a grin.

Tom said: “We are taking people of all ages, shapes and sizes but they must be reasonably fit and able to swim 400 metres in eight minutes.

“We train them in first aid, rescue techniques, tides and water hazards, the dangers of the shipping channels, communication skills and how to operate radios.

“It’s a practical course and a lot of it is common sense. Most of our work is preventative, explaining to the public how to swim, sail and surf safely and not take risks on the beach.

“We want to work with the community more. That’s why we want to encourage more Islanders to become lifeguards.”

Last year’s team included Sheppey lifeguard Sean Locke.

Tom added: “I’d like to say a genuine thank-you to Phil Crowder of the Sheerness Swimming Club for letting us use their unit on the promenade for training.”

The RNLI’s lifeguard huts are taken away for the winter.

The lifeguards, who are paid, return in May to cover weekends and then seven days a week from 10am - 6pm during the school holidays.

n For more details visit www.rnli.org.uk or email Tom at tomas_thorndycraft@rnli.org.uk.