How to Become a Lifeguard at Parkdean Resorts

Want to make a splash in our leisure and activities teams as a Lifeguard? If you’ve got charisma, positive energy, and love to create amazing memories for others, then joining the team as a Lifeguard could be right up your street.

Choosing a career as a Lifeguard is very rewarding and offers an active, challenging, and fun profession.

This blog post will walk you through what it takes to become a Lifeguard at Parkdean Resorts, from certifications to skills and requirements. We’ll also direct you to where to find Lifeguarding jobs with us.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

How to Become a Lifeguard

What does a Lifeguard do?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of lifeguarding, let’s turn our attention to the fundamentals of the job. What, exactly, does a Lifeguard do at Parkdean?

Lifeguards at Parkdean Resorts ensure our guests and holiday home owners in the park are safe at all times when they are in or around our pool areas. You’ll be trained specifically to understand water safety, to provide emergency care, and to enforce rules around safety.

Lifeguarding Certifications

All Lifeguards at Parkdean Resorts hold a current NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification), and this is mandatory before you start lifeguarding.

We offer people who are passionate about starting their Lifeguard career with us the opportunity to take a free lifeguarding course via our complementary programme. You’ll gain your lifeguarding qualification completely free of charge, saving you an average of £250.

Certification is done through an intense NPLQ course hosted on park, followed by a practical assessment.

We host NPLQ courses at a number of our holiday parks across the UK.

Once you’ve successfully completed your course, you will take a final assessment that will test your knowledge and understanding. You’ll then receive your official certification, secure a position with us, and undertake a refresher session every month during the holiday season.

Lifeguard Requirements

At this stage, you might be wondering, "Is it easy to pass a lifeguard course?". Well, it certainly can be—but there are some requirements that are worth keeping in mind.

All applicants must be able to do the following before undertaking the course at Parkdean Resorts:

• You must be over 16 years old on the day of assessment
• Swim 50m in less than 1 minute
• Swim 100m continuously on your front, then 100m on your back
• Tread water in deep water for more than 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the deepest part of the pool
• Climb out of the pool unaided

Benefits of Becoming a Lifeguard

Lifeguards enjoy a dynamic, active, community-focused job. No wonder it’s considered one of the best summer jobs you can do and a firm favourite of uni students who work at Parkdean.

When it comes to wages, Lifeguards at Parkdean Resorts earn an hourly rate of between £12.71 and £13.04, depending on location and experience.

Lifeguards at Parkdean also have access to a full benefits package, which includes cool perks like discounts on holidays, partner perks, park discounts, and access to career upskilling.

Find Lifeguarding Jobs at Parkdean

Think you have what it takes to become a Lifeguard?

We’d love to hear from enthusiastic, active people who love the idea of working at Parkdean Resorts.

Head on over to our open lifeguard positions and take a look at the exciting options on offer today. For more general recruitment questions, feel free to visit our Parkdean Resorts FAQs page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need prior lifeguarding experience to apply at Parkdean Resorts?

To apply with us, we recommend being able to demonstrate the following:

• A valid NPLQ Lifeguard qualification - or you’re a strong swimmer willing to gain it through training. 
• Pool Lifeguard Trainer Assessor, Pool Plant Operations, or First Aid at Work qualifications. 
• A customer‑focused approach with a strong commitment to guest safety and experience. 
• Confidence working in a fast‑paced environment with responsibility for guest welfare. 
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, including weekends, evenings, and bank holidays. 
• A positive, calm, and proactive attitude.

2. Is accommodation provided if I work as a seasonal Lifeguard on park?

Some of our holiday parks are able to offer team member accommodation for specific seasonal roles. However, availability varies across our 65 park locations across the UK, so be sure to check the specific job posting or ask during your initial chat with our recruitment team.

3. How long does the hiring process take after I submit my application?

Our application process moves quickly! After submitting your online application, you will typically hear back from our recruitment team within 24 to 48 hours for a quick 10-minute screening chat, followed by an interview with the park's hiring manager.