Volunteer Lifeguard with ISLA

In just over a decade, ISLA has deployed 400+ volunteer lifeguards who want to share their lifesaving skills with communities around the globe making us the world’s largest international surf lifesaving development organization.

ISLA volunteers travel far and wide to bring their experiences, passion and skills to the front lines of lifesaving development through ISLA operations. Volunteers collaborate with other volunteers from around the globe, share, and contribute to aiding locals in championing the aquatic safety situation in their own coastal communities. But an ISLA operation, is much much more: A chance to make lifelong friends – both locals and other volunteers, an opportunity to work and learn about a new culture, and a way to come away with a deeper understanding about your own skills, and how to push through difference and find the similarities that connect us all. Volunteering on an ISLA operation is undoubtedly one of the most meaningful and fulfilling ways to travel the globe.

As volunteers ourselves, we invite you to explore below the details of how to join an ISLA operation, stories from the frontlines and what the overall experience is like. Enjoy!

Stories from the frontlines #theislaexperience

Volunteer Lifeguard Around The Globe

Join us!

Minimum Requirements

Age: 18 Years & Older

Additional Info

Application Window: Varies by operation

4-8 Months before start

3-6 Months before start

Project Leader: List of Operation Leaders

ISLA Gnar-Factor Luxury level varies by project

Max Number of Volunteers: 4-20 (Varies by operation)

Cost: Airfare + Trip Donation (varies by operation)

Hyperactive advancement of your professional career starts on the frontlines of drowning prevention.

For many aspiring professional lifeguards, firefighters, medical students, and public health officials, becoming a volunteer lifeguard with ISLA provides an exceptional opportunity to advance your career. The International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) offers a unique platform where you can develop essential skills while making a meaningful impact. Whether you aim to enhance your lifesaving skills, gain leadership experience, or contribute to a vital cause, volunteering as a lifeguard with ISLA is an excellent path.

The real challenge—and true test of your abilities—begins when you face the complexities of a new culture, a developing country, intermittent electricity, spotty roads, or a poorly implemented EMS protocol. These situations put your skills to the test and provide an unparalleled learning experience. As a volunteer lifeguard with ISLA, you will hone your leadership skills, improve your improvisation abilities, and navigate daily uncertainties while significantly impacting drowning prevention efforts. These experiences can profoundly affect your personal and career development.

Explore the stories of past volunteers to see how their experiences as ISLA volunteer lifeguards impacted their careers and helped them become leaders and community influencers. Volunteering as a lifeguard with ISLA is a life-changing experience that equips you with essential skills, fosters cultural understanding, and makes a real difference in drowning prevention worldwide. Join the global community of ISLA volunteer lifeguards today.

How to Join an Operation

STEP 1: MEMBERSHIP

Becoming an ISLA member before submitting a application will save you $100 USD off the cost of your ISLA operation.

STEP 2: SUBMIT A OPERATION APPLICATION

Complete the operation volunteer application to the best of your ability to be selected to join a ISLA operation.

STEP 3: BACKGROUND CHECK & ACCEPTANCE

It takes us a few weeks to verify the information on your application. Don't stress if you don't get selected on your first try, as the application processes is competitive, and priority is given to ISLA operation veterans and prior unaccepted applicant's.

STEP 4: OPERATION DEPOSIT DUE

Deposits are generally due 3-6 months before the start of the operation. Although the deposit amount may vary, it's generally $300 USD for Non-members & $200 USD for ISLA Members. Deposits are not refundable.

STEP 5: PURCHASE YOUR AIRFARE

ISLA volunteers given the details needed to purchase their airline ticket 2-4 months before the start of their lifeguard operation.

STEP 6: PROOF OF TRAVEL INSURANCE

All ISLA volunteers are required to purchase & submit proof of emergency medical, travel, and evacuation insurance 1-3 months before the start of their operation. Cost vary depending on your coverage amounts, age, destination, and ins. provide.

STEP 7: OPERATION DONATION DUE

Trip donations vary in price based on the location, scope, and duration of the operation (Usually $350-1,500 USD). Donations are generally due 1-2 months before the start of your ISLA operation.

STEP 8: STUDY & PASS THE ISLA VOLUNTEER TEST

ISLA volunteers will be given study materials (documents & videos), and are required to pass various ISLA online exams 1-2 weeks prior to start of their ISLA operation.

STEP 9: DEPLOYMENT

The scope of the operation determines the duration of your trip. Generally you can expect a operation to be from 7-15 days in length.

STEP 10: POST OPERATION QUESTIONNAIRE & BLOG

After you have arrived back home, you'll have two weeks to complete a questionnaire to help us improve future trips, as well as completing a blog about your ISLA experience or about a product you wish to review.

Language Requirement

There are no language requirements to volunteer for a ISLA trip, although lifeguards who are bilingual in project country's official language will be given priority in the application process.

How is my ISLA operation donation spent?

While each one is different, here’s a general look at how ISLA operations are funded.

Equipment Donation

This includes buoys, swim fins, uniforms and course materials we leave behind to the newly trained lifeguards.
Trip Leader Airfare & Expenses

This includes the flights and expenses of your experienced trip leaders who put in the work to make the trip great!
Your ISLA Uniform

This includes decking you our in your very Own custom ISLA class A and B uniform. Though some of these items are returned, you’ll be booking legit on your trip.
Marketing & Membership

Water safety is about getting the word out! This allows us to do that as well as recruit more volunteers for more projects. it also (<1%) covers your member kit.
Travel & Health insurance

This makes sure you are safe and covered while making a difference! You are insured during the duration of the trip.
Miscellaneous

When the work is done there is always something worth celebrating. This covers small things like a group mean, etc. that we get to share together as a team and a family and with our new local friends.
ISLA General Fund

Though we hardly reach 15% after the trip is done, this allows out volunteer staff a budget for launching other water safety initiatives and maintained expenses, such as our website mailbox, etc.

What else is included?

Transportation: we work with our hosts, close relationships and sponsors, etc. to get this covered. Usually for the entire trip from airport to airport

Food: We work with our host, sponsorship, and friends to cover food during the work portions of ths trip. usually about half of the meals are covered for the whole trip

Housing: We work with sponsord, our hosts, etc. to get this sponsored during the work portions of the trip.

Experience: ISLA trips are generally cheaper than typical Travel, and allow you to make lifeling friends while making a difference. you ALSO gain professional knowledge of others while sharing your own skills.

Choose Your Next Adventure!

ISLA generally conducts 3-6 lifeguard development operations per year. Operations are generally scheduled around college/university holiday periods. Checkout which operation destinations are coming up soon.