This news out of Alicante reports a major operation tied to a lifeguard services company. Authorities identified and detained the company’s manager, two coordinators, and nine additional workers as part of an ongoing investigation. The individuals face multiple charges, including professional trespass related to performing lifeguard duties across several pools, while accusations of labor rights violations, support for illegal immigration, fraud, threats, and coercion are also under review. The case highlights concerns about how training and certification for lifeguards are delivered and verified within the region of the Valencian Community.
The business leader, who maintains that all charges are unfounded, was held at the Alicante Provincial Police Station in connection with the Immigrant Networks and Documentary Fraud Unit. He appeared after giving testimony in police court and was represented by defense attorneys. The two arrested coordinators are reported to have securities tied to the same law firm and were released following testimony.
Nine lifeguards connected to the same company—six of whom are foreign nationals in irregular residency—were detained last week on trespassing charges and subsequently released after police statements. Police sources provided details of the ongoing inquiry.
Investigators allege that lifeguard courses were marketed at 500 euros through a non-profit foundation. The courses supposedly included both theoretical and practical components but reportedly fell short of the legally required hours, according to police. Students were told to pay 200 euros to begin, with the remaining 300 euros allegedly deducted from their salaries. The police note that diplomas are allegedly withheld if the claimed two months of paid internship, supposedly part of the training, doesn’t occur. In this account, the diploma would not be issued unless the internship is completed as described.
Police indicate that this unapproved training raises questions about whether any government body or client has been misled by contracting services while employing foreign workers who lack proper residence or work authorization.
Lifeguards have stated that their workweek runs from Monday through Sunday without breaks, with wages around five and a half euros per hour. Ten-hour days were reportedly common, and deductions were made for illnesses or other absences, according to police findings.
During interviews, lifeguards described living in rental apartments arranged by the company, often in crowded conditions with seven to eleven roommates per dwelling. Each worker allegedly paid 150 euros monthly for accommodation.
The company leader claimed that the foundation providing the courses—established in 2000—receives recognition from the Ministry of Education and Science. The Valencia School of Health Research, affiliated with the Ministry of Health, confirmed in 2009 that the foundation is recognized by the Ministry and that its objective includes first aid training. Certificates were described as covering theory and practical content aligned with safety requirements for public pools, but authorities question whether the certificates meet official standards for lifeguard certification.
The businessman—who asserts thirty years of industry experience—argues there is a legal vacuum around lifeguard qualifications and denies any wrongdoing in lifeguard training or related charges. He notes that some workers participate on a voluntary basis through the foundation and receive a daily wage.
He also contends that working seven days a week is not illegal for lifeguards and that a five-and-a-half-euro hourly rate is a common seasonal wage. He notes that most lifeguards are young adults aged 18–22 who aim to maximize earnings during the busy summer period.
The National Police Immigration Brigade’s UCRIF unit launched its investigation following judicial law enforcement inquiries in June tied to the death of a drowning child at a gated urbanization in Cabo de las Huertas. Although the tragedy occurred outside the lifeguard service’s regular hours, a lifeguard’s statement prompted renewed scrutiny of the company. Police officials assert that the foundation’s diploma must meet a minimum of 500 hours and be issued by the provincial Ministry of Labor within Generalitat Valenciana–approved centers. They say the company under investigation did not meet these requirements. Researchers describe the situation as unregulated educational activity being pursued for formal recognition and private coursework.
This case remains under active review as authorities work to determine whether breaches in training, labor rights, or immigration laws were committed, and to understand the broader implications for lifeguard training protocols in the Valencian Community and neighboring regions. [citation: Alicante Police Department; Local Judicial Authorities]