A graduation ceremony has been held for students, who have been dubbed 'The Magnificent Seven' by instructors, after they took part in a new three-month lifeguarding course.

The graduates are the first in Bermuda to complete the GuardStart 'Lifeguarding Tomorrow' Course.

The programme introduces young people, ages 11 to14, to the foundation of knowledge, attitude and skill in becoming future Lifeguards.

It is a combined effort between the Bermuda Red Cross and the Duke of Edinburgh (D of E) scheme under its Bronze Level awards program.

Graduates of the GuardStart Class 001 are, Jordan Smith, Hailey Manuel, Josh Malpas, Katie Beaulne, Sarah Maybury, Emily Cowen and Lucie Baker. Five of them also earned various certifications in CPR and First Aid. Assistant class instructors for the programme where Jillian Rinehimer and Priceton Bailey.

The course consisted of classroom activities as well as in-water training sessions and four monthly fitness assessments. Training was held in injury prevention and preventative lifeguarding skills, fitness, recognition and response as well as leadership exercises and professionalism.

It concluded with a 300-yard open ocean swim, a 20-yard timed rescue and recovery swim and a one-mile run followed by practical First Aid exercise as well as assessment of an unconscious adult and an infant in breathing distress.

Dean Bottomley of the aquatics programmes at the Bermuda Red Cross said: "The 'Magnificent Seven', as the class became called, did very well in all categories, they where the very first seven youth in Bermuda to have gone through this long training programme and I was very proud to have been the instructor.

"Although they completed the course, they all still have to give a final presentation to groups about what they learned and how the course has benefited them these past three months."

The next GuardStart session under the D of E started yesterday with the pre-course swim try-outs and classes, which are scheduled to start on Wednesday, March 11 at Bermuda High School for Girls.

Mr. Bottomley said: "We are looking forward to offering the GuardStart as well as the junior Lifeguard Programme as a summer camp this Summer, which is being sponsored by the Ross 'Blackie' Talbot Charity Golf Classic this year, for those who are 15 and a continuation of training for those that are 16 and over as Waterfront Lifeguards as well.

"These later two programmes will greatly benefit Bermuda as a whole as these age groups, upon successful graduation, will be qualified as Professional Rescuers with certifications in First Aid, CPR and AED as well as the required skills and knowledge to rescue victims in aquatic emergencies."