Lifeguards: The 65-year-old keeping people safe in the water

John Irwin is a master swimmer and holds 10 Ulster Swimming records

A 65-year-old man swapped retired life for life-saving on Northern Ireland's beaches over the summer.

John Irwin is one of the oldest members on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguarding team in Northern Ireland.

Before joining the RNLI, John led a busy life as an account manager for a multinational engineering firm.

And, despite feeling physically fit, he said he was initially apprehensive about joining, given his age.

"I've always enjoyed swimming and that's how I actually became involved with the RNLI," John, who lives in Kilkeel, County Down, told BBC News NI.

John was a former Irish 100m butterfly champion at the age of 16 and 17 and returned to the aged 57, a remarkable 40 years after initially giving it up.

This year, since his return, he clinched an Irish 50m butterfly title and now holds 10 Ulster swimming records.

Recruited in the pool

"I actually know Stuart Montgomery, who is the RNLI lifeguard supervisor, through swimming," John said.

"He asked me about whether I would ever consider joining them and I was a bit reluctant at the start, I have to admit.

"However, Stuart convinced me after saying: 'I know you can certainly manage the swimming element of it'."

John Irwin has won numerous swimming titles over the years

John, who took early retirement in 2020, had more than enough reason to want to stick his feet up and relax on a beach rather than keeping people safe on one.

In his previous job, the swimmer-turned-lifeguard travelled extensively and his job kept him away from home for more than 40 weeks of the year.

"If you want to know anything about airports in Europe - I'm your man," he said.

John added that a big reason for wanting to become involved with the RNLI was his desire to help people and to make a difference.

His journey began with rigorous RNLI training in June, preparing him for his role patrolling beaches during the busy months of July and August.

John pictured with some younger members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguarding team

Among the incidents that required his attention was one six-year-old girl who had been stung by a jellyfish.

"I have never come across a more stoic little girl," John said.

"Some adults would understandably be crying their eyes out after a jellyfish sting, but she was completely fine with everything and was just brilliant."

John said the girl was instructed to stay in the sea water for ten minutes to alleviate any pain and then he simply wiped the stinger away with a bank card to remove it.

John said a big reason for wanting to become involved with the RNLI was his desire to help people and to make a difference.

John said that, sadly, not all incidents he will attend for the RNLI will be as straightforward as that one but that he's ready for any situation that requires life-saving interventions.

"You hear stories of people within the team who have had to deal with some seriously life-threatening situations," he said.

"Some people can be in real danger and our team members will always rush to their assistance, knowing the risks - we are trained to help and that's what we do."

'Old enough to be their grandad'

Despite an age gap between John and his younger colleagues, he said all those on the lifeguard team share a common bond and there is great camaraderie between them.

"Despite being old enough to be the grandad of some of the younger members of the team, we really do have a lot of shared interests.

"We are passionate about swimming, we talk about sport, and obviously we are all there because we want to help people."

John's message for other retirees is simple - don't let age be a barrier to pursuing your passions.