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- The shortage stems partly from disputes between some lifeguard clubs and the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation, according to Local Government Director Antonis Economides.
- A new HRDA-certified model would allow approved organisations to issue beach lifeguard qualifications, with separate certification for beach and pool lifeguarding.
- The government has allocated €1.5 million for lifeguard equipment over 2026-2028, including jet skis, radios and replacement towers.
- In free Famagusta, 30 towers are staffed by 86 lifeguards, seven smaller towers remain unstaffed, and no new recruits joined this year.
Cyprus is preparing to change its lifeguard certification system from next year amid a shortage of certified candidates to staff organised beaches.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Monday, Director of Local Government Antonis Economides said the number of approved lifeguard positions was more than sufficient, but there were not enough candidates to fill them.
He attributed the shortage, among other factors, to interpersonal disputes and differences between lifeguard clubs and the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation (KON).
Under the existing Salamis Plan, approved by the Council of Ministers in 2018, lifeguard towers, staffing levels and working hours are regulated at organised beaches.
Economides said a revised version of the plan had recently been approved, introducing a number of changes.
New certification model
According to Economides, several lifeguard clubs currently provide training and issue qualifications, but the existing system requires lifeguards to hold a diploma approved by KON.
He said disputes between some lifeguard clubs and KON had contributed to the shortage of certified lifeguards.
Economides also said KON, which was previously registered, no longer holds a registration certificate from the Nicosia Registrar of Associations and Foundations following changes to the legislation governing associations and foundations.
He said the Interior Ministry had been working with the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA) for months to establish a new certification system.
Under the proposed model, specific organisations would be certified by the HRDA and would then be able to provide lifeguard qualifications for beach work.
Applications have already been submitted, while organisations including SEK and PEO have been certified by the HRDA, Economides said.
New lifeguard standards are also being prepared, with certification expected to be divided into two categories: beach and pool lifeguarding.
“We want to have a new system from the new year and believe there will no longer be a shortage of lifeguards then,” Economides said.
Seasonal work remains a challenge
Economides identified seasonal employment as another major challenge.
Some lifeguards employed by District Administrations work on a permanent basis, while others are employed for 10, eight or even four months, depending on the beach and area.
“For four months, it is not easy to find someone interested in coming to work,” he said, adding that the issue would be examined after the current season.
He also said lifeguard working hours vary depending on visitor numbers and other factors, with shifts ending at 5pm, 6pm or 7pm depending on the beach.
Economides rejected the idea that simply extending shifts until 8pm would solve the issue, noting that lifeguarding is a demanding profession involving long working hours.
€1.5 million for equipment
The government has allocated €500,000 this year for lifeguard equipment, with the same amount budgeted for each of the following two years, bringing the total investment to €1.5 million for 2026-2028.
A nationwide assessment has been carried out to identify equipment and shortages at lifeguard towers, including defibrillators, jet skis and radios.
Tenders are already under way for the purchase of 10 jet skis and other equipment.
A separate tender is also being prepared for new lifeguard towers, with the aim of gradually replacing older wooden structures with more modern and durable towers, including aluminium models that can be moved where necessary.
Concerns after Larnaca drowning
Asked about the death of a woman who drowned in Larnaca on August 15 while in the sea with her two children, Economides said information available to him indicated that the sea was rough.
He stressed that members of the public, particularly parents, also have a responsibility to assess conditions before entering the sea with young children.
According to the information he had, lifeguards had completed their shift around 20 minutes before the incident, at 6pm.
Economides said lifeguards could not provide 24-hour coverage, adding that “at some point lifeguards have to finish work”.
Gaps in water sports legislation
Regarding the serious jet ski accident in Pernera on August 15, Economides said the matter did not fall entirely under the Interior Ministry’s authority.
However, he acknowledged that there were gaps in the existing legal framework governing water sports.
He said local authorities designate specific coastal areas for water sports and follow the relevant licensing procedures, but there were no clear provisions covering all issues, including who can operate a jet ski and under what conditions.
He said such matters fell largely under the jurisdiction of the Port and Marine Police.
No new lifeguards in Famagusta
The shortage of new recruits is particularly concerning in the free Famagusta district.
According to Famagusta District Administration Lifeguard Supervisor Michalis Adamou, 30 lifeguard towers are staffed by 86 lifeguards, while seven towers at smaller beaches remain unstaffed because of low visitor numbers.
Adamou said there had not been a single new lifeguard recruited in the free Famagusta area this year, while two or three lifeguards had left.
The staffed beaches generally operate from 9.30am to 5pm. During the peak months of June to September, some beaches extend their hours by 90 minutes to 6.30pm.
Four beaches – Makronissos and Pantachou 1 in Ayia Napa, and Kapparis and Vrysi 2 in Protaras – operate from 7am to 6.30pm during the summer.
Adamou said the lack of new recruits was a serious concern and suggested that the limited number of working months could be discouraging potential candidates.
The starting salary for a lifeguard is €1,560 net per month, according to Adamou, with overtime providing an opportunity to increase earnings.
He said, however, that the main problem remained the limited number of months of employment.
Also read: Lifeguards rescue 25-year-old from drowning in Limassol
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