Shortage of applicants marks post-covid, with just 20 candidates in Praia da Rocha this year.

The Algarve beach concessions are having difficulties attracting lifeguarding candidates.

In Praia da Rocha, where some 90 youngsters were available each year, just 20 candidates signed up for the 2023 season.

Due to this lack of applications, Marines have been called in to help with surveillance on the Algarve’s beaches.

To resolve the lack of candidates on national soil, the region is preparing to receive Brazilian professionals, who are currently available as it’s the low season in their country of origin.

SIC television channel reported live from Praia da Rocha this week, where from May 1, every beach concession will have its own lifeguards thanks to the additional support. The team coming from Brazil will be made up of 15 lifeguards, helped by a motorbike, a quad bike and a rescue drone.

In total, around 120 lifeguards are coming from Brazil to support various areas of the Algarve, such as Alvor and Albufeira, where the season officially kicks off on May 15.

 

In the meantime, the Praia dos Pescadores beach in Albufeira was the only one guarded all year round. The municipality invested in continuous surveillance to become a year-round beach destination. Portimão is said to follow suit as it considers testing this measure on its beaches.