Lifeguard shortage threatens beach safety in Finland

There is a shortage of lifeguards across Finland, with many municipalities struggling to recruit qualified personnel. Aleksandr Efimov, a training planner at the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation, highlights this issue, noting that last year, there was no swimming supervision at any of the public beaches in Seinäjoki due to a lack of lifeguards. Meanwhile, the number of individuals lacking swimming skills is on the rise; it is estimated that about half of the residents in Finland do not meet the basic swimming competency criteria. This standard defines a competent swimmer as someone who can submerge their head underwater after falling into deep water, resurface, and swim continuously for 200 meters, including a 50-meter backstroke.

In the worst-case scenario, a resident could suffer fatal consequences at a beach due to the absence of qualified lifeguards. The responsibility for beach safety lies with the municipalities. In Sotkamo, Lasse Komu serves as the sole lifeguard at the Hiukka beach this summer. If there had been more qualified applicants, two lifeguards could have been hired, allowing for supervision seven days a week, explains Hannu Järvinen, head of parks and recreation for the municipality. Despite only three applicants, Komu was the only one to pass the necessary swimming tests. He notes that the beach can be quite busy, with over a hundred swimmers at times, making it challenging for one person to oversee everything.

Municipalities must ensure that beaches are safe for users. According to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation, a beach lifeguard must be a trained professional. Some cities, such as Mikkeli and Lappeenranta, have outsourced beach supervision to private companies, while in Oulu, Nallikari Seaside supplies lifeguards in collaboration with a local swimming club.