City of San Diego pools in need of 100 lifeguards

SAN DIEGO — The nationwide lifeguard scarcity isn’t just impacting San Diego seashores, however metropolis swimming pools are additionally in dire want of recent lifeguards.

“We want extra lifeguards, we’d like about 100 extra lifeguards throughout the board,” stated Metropolis of San Diego aquatics district supervisor Nicole McNeil, who began as a lifeguard 22 years in the past and made it a profession.

“We are going to work with you, we are going to mentor you, we are going to train you methods to swim, we are going to put together you to be in a lifeguard coaching course and work as a pool guard in perhaps 3 to six months,” McNeil stated.

Jacari Jenkins answered the decision and lately turned a pool guard at 18 years outdated and desires to be a pool supervisor. He likes how town supplies different alternatives for job development.

“You type of must step up and be keen to take a problem. It is a tough job, however it’s a good job, and it’s what folks want,” stated Jenkins, who plans to go to varsity for biochemistry.

“You want one thing to do, why not serve the neighborhood on the similar time. Working retail is cool, however I used to be raised to offer again, and you may be on the money register for 2 or 5 years, however right here, you may be a swim coach,” stated Jenkins, a Mission Bay Excessive College graduate.

American Lifeguard Affiliation says this summer season a 3rd to half of all public swimming pools within the U.S. may shut or reduce hours resulting from a nationwide lifeguard scarcity.

The Metropolis of San Diego is scaling again hours and lessons at its all 14 Metropolis swimming pools resulting from lack of staffing. They’re additionally providing incentives, reminiscent of paid coaching and a bump in pay for the $15 to $17 an hour lifeguard wage.

“The pool guards simply received a ten% pay enhance this 12 months and we’re working to get extra will increase and dealing to create extra full-time positions, like we’ve recreation aids who work the entrance desk, there are alternatives for all ages,”  McNeil stated.

The San Diego Jackie Robinson YMCA wants 20 lifeguards for its newly constructed pool that opens subsequent month. To this point, they’ve employed one.

“In the event that they apply and upon finishing coaching, it’s a assured job supply,” stated

YMCA aquatics director David Kreamer.

YMCA pool guards begin at $18 an hour for anybody 16 years outdated and up. They’re going to have to finish a tryout and 4 days of paid coaching to be CPR, first assist, AED and water rescue talent licensed.

“It could get fairly busy, however we offer the assist, and it’s a workforce effort. It’s a essential job, and I feel it’s a enjoyable one,” stated Kreamer, who has been a lifeguard for 14 years.

Kreamer says water security is vital to the encompassing Lincoln Park neighborhood, who has not had a close-by pool since 2016 when the outdated Jackie Robinson YMCA was torn down.

“We do you will have a big neighborhood round us with non-swimmers, and so that is going to be such an excellent providing of swim classes, lap swim and lifeguard coaching programs,” Kreamer stated.

The Jackie Robinson YMCA pool ribbon reducing ceremony will likely be Friday June 24 at 10 a.m. however the pool gained’t formally open till swim classes start on July 5.

Additionally, on June 24, the Metropolis of San Diego will host a profession honest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Balboa Park Membership.

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