The City’s recreation and parks department recruits hundreds of seasonal lifeguards annually as part of its summer readiness plans to protect thousands of bathers at municipal pools and beaches.
Ward 59 councillor Mikhail Manuel echoes this call in announcing his plans: “I’m wanting to do a specific drive for lifeguards because we need them at Newlands Swimming Pool.”
Strong swimmers can qualify for four categories of seasonal lifeguards: beach lifeguard, senior beach lifeguard, swimming pool lifeguard, and senior swimming pool lifeguard.
Patricia van der Ross, the Mayco member for community services and health, motivates:
Every year, they draw hundreds of hopefuls, she added, “and I have no doubt that this year will see similar interest. I want to encourage applicants to carefully check the requirements to ensure that they are eligible, but also to make sure their applications are completed in full, with all of the supporting documentation, submitted as soon as possible”.
Candidates will be required to undergo competency testing during the selection process.
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In addition to meeting all of the set criteria, applicants are also required to pass a compulsory swim and rescue test and demonstrate first aid skills.
The assessment for beach lifeguards requires contenders to complete a 400 metre swimming pool swim in under eight minutes and to complete a 200 metre beach run – 300 metre sea swim – 200 metre beach run in under 10 minutes, while the assessment for pool lifeguards requires contestants to swim 100 metres in under two minutes.
Candidates must also have a clean criminal record, with no pending charges and be drug-free.
- Only online applications will be accepted. Contenders are required to register for e-recruitment on the City’s website and complete the application form before the deadline.
- Candidates who have worked in the last season (2023-’24), need not re-apply but are requested to contact their nearest area office.
- More information on the recruitment process and requirements is available here.
