The organisation has a Cadet Section for youths between the ages of 14 and 18. The aim of the section is to teach the youngsters lifesaving skills both in canoes (shown in the picture above) and on the beach, as well as traditional lifeguard skills. The cadets progress through the service and it is hoped that some will progress to training as boat crew at the age of 18yrs, many of the cadets have gone on to complete thier gold Duke of Edingburgh's awards.

Over the last few years several of the past cadets have gone onto work in the Police, Ambulance, Fire and Coastguard Services, continuing their desire to help those in need.

The cadets use the 'SHARK' rescue canoe, which was originally designed by one of our members and is still being built to an updated specification. The cadets take part in competitions throughout the year in both canoes and pool lifeguarding. They also provide safety cover to cross Solent swims, the International Festival of the Sea and many other local events.

The cadets also take part in training exercises with the rescue boats, often for mud rescue, and provide safety support when the rescue divers train in the local area.

Canoes
The service uses canoes for routine patrols and rescue work along the coastline of our area and additonally in support of the dive/mud rescue teams. The canoes are normally paddled by our cadet section.

The canoes used are the 'Shark' rescue canoe, Selki rescue canoe, Plastic Sea Boats, The Shark was designed by the service to withstand the rigours of life as a rescue craft, In Total we have 14 Rescue Canoes and Two Paddle Boards.

We have a number of the Rescue Canoes sponsered by local comapnies and trusts - these include

Aadvark Cleaning - Shark Millenium

Solent Ribs - Shark (Traditional)

KB Marine - Shark (Traditional)

Submariners Association - 2 Shark (Traditional)

Some of the Canoes were also funded with assistance from the BCU Lifeguards and other Charitable Trusts.