PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It might be hard to imagine jumping into a pool in mid-January, but the search for this summer’s lifeguards for Philadelphia’s public pools has already begun.
In the city, lifeguard candidates have to be at least 16 years old, pass a lifeguard screening test, then complete a Red Cross certification course (free for applicants who are 24 years old or younger) to guard city pools.
Although we’re still a couple of months away from the first splashes of summer, Philadelphia Parks and Rec Aquatics are already offering training courses for free to get people ready for the test.
“If you start off now, we can give them a chance to practice until they get up to ready to be in a class,” said Willard Coleman, a water safety instructor trainer.
He said potential candidates sometimes turn away once they realize they have to pass that initial screening.
“They don't have the good swimming ability to do 12 laps in a pool, and they don't have the real good skills to actually go down and get a brick from deep water, bring it up and swim it back,” Coleman said. “In order to actually be a rescuer, a first responder, you really have to have certain techniques and certain skills to say that you're a rescuer.”
Coleman said the staff screens potential lifeguards at Lincoln High School weekly for anyone interested in the summer job.
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Out of the 70-plus public pools in Philadelphia, Coleman tells KYW Newsradio that only 48 opened last summer, and they hope there will be more for 2023.
“We need them everywhere. We want to be able to open pools all over the city so people can beat this heat and get out of this heat … get these little kids out there, and make sure they're having a fun, safe summer,” Coleman said.
“We need to really reach out in every section and see if we can get some candidates and some teenagers that are looking for a nice job during the summertime, and really looking to get paid, get money, to guard.”
Pay starts at $16 per hour.
Click here for more information on becoming a lifeguard in the city of Philadelphia.