Struggles encountered in the process of recruiting for Salvadoran swimming association
Alexandre Tadeia, president of the Portuguese Federation of Lifeguards (FEPONS), has voiced his concerns about the ongoing lifeguard shortage. In an interview with Lusa, he stated, "At present, most lifeguard profiles are yet unavailable."
He further explained that the inconsistent start of the bathing season is often due to the delay in the availability of Portuguese lifeguards. "Many are students," he noted.
The issue of recruiting local professionals, according to Tadeia, has persisted as a challenge. In the past, the solution involved hiring foreign lifeguards, but the recent changes in legislation concerning the expression of interest have left the situation unclear.
Tadeia suggested that providing incentives for the lifeguard profession could help alleviate this issue. He argued, "There needs to be incentives, particularly in terms of tuition fees, since the majority of lifeguards are students."
The 2023 bathing season kicked off progressively on Thursday in the municipalities of Cascais and Oeiras, Lisbon district, and Porto Moniz and Porto Santo, Madeira archipelago. The season is set to open on the Albufeira beaches (Faro district) on May 15, followed by the central and southern beaches on June 1. Beaches in the north will start opening on June 15, while inland waters will begin their season between June and July.
The start date for each region is determined annually through a decree published in the Republic's Diary, identifying the bathing waters and defining the respective season. Local municipalities then decide the specific start and end dates within their territory, with some opting for earlier or later dates.
As for potential reasons for the lifeguard shortage and possible solutions, international trends suggest early registrations, accelerated recruitment, training academies, and partnerships could help address staffing gaps. Incentivizing pay and promoting lifeguarding as a career are popular strategies worldwide. However, specific data for Portugal was not found in the available results. For local insights, contacting Portugal’s maritime authorities or Instituto de Socorros a Náufragos would be advisable.
Additional Reading: Beware, Swimmers! The Sea is "Altered" and "Dangerous"
- To possibly overcome the ongoing lifeguard shortage at Portuguese resorts, the Portuguese Federation of Lifeguards (FEPONS) president, Alexandre Tadeia, suggests providing incentives, particularly in terms of tuition fees, since the majority of lifeguards are students.
- In an effort to tackle the lifeguard shortage, international trends suggest implementing strategies like early registrations, accelerated recruitment, training academies, and partnerships.
- As Portuguese lifeguards mainly consist of students, providing incentives could prove beneficial in recruiting more local professionals and ensuring the safety of swimmers at Porto, Cascais, Oeiras, Porto Moniz, Porto Santo, Albufeira, and other beaches throughout Portugal.
