Portsmouth & Southsea Voluntary Lifeguards
Founded in 1933
Portsmouth and Southsea Voluntary Lifeguards is a beach lifeguard club based on Southsea seafront in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
We are proud to be the oldest Lifeguard Club in the UK and are independent of the RNLI.
Southsea is a popular beach, stretching from Old Portsmouth to Eastney.
The beach is mostly shingle and slopes quite rapidly into the sea.
It’s lined by a seafront promenade and has two piers, a lake, D-Day Museum, Southsea castle, Blue Reef Aquarium, amusements, funfair and much more. See here for more.
Funded by your donations
We rely on public donations and grant funding in order for the club to stay open and provide our rescue service along Southsea Seafront and the Solent.
Like many other lifeguard clubs and lifeboat stations around the UK, we are independent of the RNLI and receive no funding from them.
Providing safety cover on Southsea Seafront and the Solent
We not only provide a weekend lifeguard service for Southsea Seafront,
but also an inshore rescue boat and rescue water craft for the rest of the Solent.
Covering various events in the area.
A special thanks to some of our supporters, that is all the wonderful businesses and public bodies that have helped support our club. Without their generous support, our vital work would not be possible. Please take a moment to view them all, we endorse their services.
Our Mission
Our main goal is to save lives at sea
The organisation operates 1 lifeboat, 2 rescue water craft (RWC), 2 Portsea rescue vehicles and 1 rescue quad bike (ATV).
The service is not part of the RNLI, however we work in collaboration with multi agencies.
Our operations are entirely funded by the local community via a mix of donations, local business sponsorship and community grants.
Our regular operations involve helping vessels in need, emergency medical aid, search and rescue, and safety observation.
Our volunteers give their time to promote safety and save lives in hazardous conditions.
We are committed to a safe environment that embraces respect, diversity and equality.
Why Should You Join Us?
Saves lives, learn new skills and build confidence!
Search and rescue teams have been around since the dawn of human existence.
The need to find and save lives is a deeply rooted human instinct.
Being part of a rescue organisation makes a real difference in your community.
It helps develop your skills, fitness and motivation.
When skills are used in real-world situations, motivation increases.
If selected, training may include:
- Search and rescue skills
- RLSS lifesaving techniques
- Casualty and stretcher handling
- Trailer driving
- Rescue boat crewing and helming
- Navigation, GPS and VHF radio communications
- RYA powerboat level 2 and advanced training
Did you know that you can now support us by purchasing our lifeguard souvenirs using our online store
