Galery

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While some are lying on the beach or swimming in the sea, the safeguards have to work and should not relax even for a second. More and more Greek beaches have their own safeguard. At the beginning this profession was not very famous and not many people preferred it but after the famous show aired, this changed.

Every year many young boys and girls graduate as safeguards from one of the biggest schools in Greece Bayline Services, which is in Thessaloniki and Khalkidhiki. Each year, 250 students graduate from this school.  

Whoever wants to make his dream come true and work on the beach, firstly needs to get a water jet drivers license and after that he needs to pass all the Port Service exams.

The safeguard training continues for two months and it includes theoretical and practical lessons – dealing with people in danger, providing first aid, studying meteorology, distinguishing dangerous fish, avoiding dangerous currents, rescuing handicapped people.

According to the principal of the safeguard school Thasos Andoniadis, all man and women up to 45 years old, can become safeguards. They need to be healthy and be able to work this profession. Until now, the oldest student in the school was a 43 year old man but he gave up fast because there was not enough action for him!

The training costs ?250 and the company ensures a job after graduation. The salary of the safeguards is ?1150 plus health insurance, social security, and a place to live. They need to work six days per week from 10:30AM until 05:30PM.

“This is the perfect summer job,” says Elza Koubourtiadou. “You are on the beach, working seven hours and getting good money. And if you choose a pool, then you have a job for five months out of the year.”

“It might seem that this profession is easy but this is not true!” claims Elefteria Aslanidou, who is a safeguard, who also teaches in the Bayline Services school. “The responsibility that you have is huge and Greeks need to finally learn how to swim!”