Rookie Lifeguard Programme
Newport Live offers a Rookie Lifeguard Programme for children who have passed their Academy 6 lessons and would like to pursue a lifesaving or lifeguard avenue.
The programme has been created by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and is designed to ensure that every child in the country has essential water skills to keep themselves safe and knowledge of what to do in an emergency.
Swimmers will develop their swimming fitness and learn the basics of water safety, rescues, personal survival skills, rescue skills and receive first aid and CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) training, allowing participants to enjoy swimming as an activity and most importantly be able to protect their lives and those of others should an accident occur in or out of the water.
Rookie Lifeguard programme starts at Stage 1 of the Bronze award and will progress right through to the completion of Stage 3 of the Gold award.
Swimmers attending the Rookie Lifeguard programme must be able to swim 100m (Academy 6).
The programme has helped many children in their growth and development by equipping them with skills needed to achieve a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) which will help them to pursue a career in the leisure industry.
Current programme:
The Rookie Lifesaving programme starts on Thursday 17th April at our Active Living Centre Venue (ALC) in Bettws. This initiative is designed to provide progressive lifesaving skills to swimmers who have completed Academy 6.
Course Schedule & Locations
Each course is 13 weeks long:
- 12 weeks of lessons
- 1 catch-up week for any missed sessions
- Each lesson is 30 minutes
- Capacity per class: 12 swimmers
- Payment: £91 via 13 credits (includes free public swimming for the course duration)
ALC Schedule
- Rookie Beginner
Thursdays, 7:30–8:00pm | Starts 17th April 2025
Teacher: Martyn Taylor - Ongoing: Every 13 weeks
- Rookie Gold 1
Thursdays, 7:30–8:00pm | Starts 17th July 2025
Ongoing: Every 13 weeks - Rookie Gold 2
Saturdays, 8:00–8:30am | Starts 18th October 2025
Ongoing: Every 13 weeks - Rookie Gold 3
Saturdays, 8:30–9:00am | Starts 24th January 2026
Ongoing: Every 13 weeks
NISV Schedule
- Rookie Beginner
Mondays, 6:30–7:00pm | Starts 26th May 2025
Teacher: Owain Baulch
Ongoing: Every 13 weeks
- Rookie Gold 1
Mondays, 7:00–7:30pm | Starts 25th August 2025
Ongoing: Every 13 weeks - Rookie Gold 2 & 3 – To be confirmed
Payment & Certificate Info
- Courses are booked as a 13-credit block (£91).
- This includes the lessons and free public swimming for the course duration.
- Certificates are not included and will be charged at the usual certificate price.
Late Admittance Policy
- No new participants may join after week 2 of the course start date.
Entry Requirements
- Participants must have completed Academy 6.
- Completion can be with Newport Live or externally.
- External completion requires proof and pass confirmation