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Siblings Alice and Daisy Davies, and Indi and Freya Lynch, are among the RNLI beach lifeguards returning to duty this season in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
The Davies sisters work on beaches from Broad Haven North to Borth. Alice, 17, is based in Pembrokeshire, while Daisy, 19, covers Ceredigion.
Alice said: “Growing up around the sea, surfing, swimming, and playing in the waves, it was never a question of if we would want to become RNLI lifeguards, it was something we had always aspired to do from a young age.”
They are joined on the North Pembrokeshire team by fellow sisters Freya (19) and Indi (17) Lynch.
Indi Lynch is a lifeguard across Pembrokeshire beaches (Image: RNLI)
The RNLI is celebrating its female lifeguard teams for International Women’s Day on March 8, highlighting progress made since the lifeguarding service was introduced in Wales in 2008.
Daisy said: “It’s so great to see the female representation within the lifeguard teams across Wales.
“We’re a close-knit group and our bond always deepens through the season on the beaches.
“We value teamwork and equality and there’s something powerful about looking down the line and seeing a team of strong women who are just as confident and capable as their male counterparts.”
Senior female lifeguards have become role models for the younger team members.
Alice said: “The female senior beach lifeguards in the team are our role models as younger women entering lifeguarding for the first time.
Freya Lynch is a lifeguard across Pembrokeshire beaches (Image: RNLI)
“They inspire us to follow in their footsteps, confidently leading shifts, making difficult decisions under pressure, and taking control in challenging situations.
“It shows that strength and leadership in this role aren’t defined by gender.”
Indi, a Welsh national team surfer, completed her first lifeguard season last year. She said: “Working every summer as a RNLI beach lifeguard is what gets us through the depressing winter days, I really think it’s the best job you could possibly ask for – especially in your youth.”
Freya said: “To anyone thinking about joining the RNLI, give it a go.
“It’s such a great charity to be a part of, you learn so many skills, meet new people, and are opened to lots of opportunities.”
Senior beach lifeguard Margot Lawrence said the growing number of women in the role is encouraging.
Ms Lawrence said: “It’s so positive to see more and more women like Daisy, Alice, Freya, and Indi continuing to join our lifeguarding teams.”
The RNLI is marking 25 years of lifeguard patrols this season.
The service now covers more than 230 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands.
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