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| Dario Kercuku in a live interview for the Italian media, screenshot |
Among the lifeguards who ensure the safety of beachgoers along the Italian Riviera, there is a true prodigy. His name is Dario Kercuku, he is just 18 years old, and he is of Albanian origin. This summer, the young "angel in a red tank top" has already saved 17 people who found themselves in trouble in the waves, local media reports.
His Abilities
Dario's record of rescues highlights the remarkable abilities of a young man seemingly destined for this role. Despite his age, Dario is not new to the lifeguard profession. He began his career in 2023, while still a minor, and has since continued to develop his skills, earning important certifications. These include qualifications for Sup-Surf Rescue and regional authorization to use a defibrillator as a Basic Life Support operator.
He approaches his work with ease, as if he was born to wear the scarlet uniform. "I've dreamed of doing this job since I was a child," Dario shared with us. "As a kid on the beach, I would watch the lifeguards with admiration." Today, he is responsible for the lifeguard tower near the "Bacio dell’Onda" beach chalet, an area known for its challenging conditions due to unusual marine currents around the Pennello sull’Albula. Recently, Dario and his team successfully completed several complex rescues in this area, involving multiple people struggling in the waves. Now, all the lifeguards are gearing up for the busiest days of the summer.
His Advice
"As we approach Ferragosto," Dario advises, "I urge all beachgoers to enjoy their days at the beach with common sense. The most important advice I can give is to never challenge the sea but to approach it with respect." Despite being only 18, Dario clearly understands the importance of respecting the sea, a quality that is one of his greatest strengths and will serve him well in the future. "Of course," he concludes, "I will continue this job that I love. In fact, if it were up to me, I'd do it year-round. I study at a hospitality school, but someday, I’d love to find a job connected to marine rescue and assistance."