They are fitter, stronger and tougher.
On a wet and misty morning in Salthill a group of lifeguards are being put through their paces.
As they race across the cold, wet sand, their trainer Andrew Lally, a dentist and a volunteer, explains how this year s training has made for hardier lifeguards.
Usually, their training would take place in swimming pools, but they are closed because of public health restrictions. They ve all had their wetsuits out since before St Patrick s Day, and they ve been in and out of the water every weekend, he said.
Training on beaches has been a good way to get used to the tougher conditions .