City to Hold Tests for Lifeguard Candidates

The Valley Aquatics division of the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks will begin its annual search for lifeguards and swimming instructors Saturday at the Cleveland High School pool.

Applicants must register for the test by 4 p.m. Friday at the Valley Region Aquatics Office in Valley Plaza Park, 6911 Laurelgrove Ave., North Hollywood.

Lifeguard and swimming instructor candidates will take a two-part test to assess their swimming and lifesaving abilities, said Mike Shanto, aquatic facilities manager.

In the first half of the test, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Cleveland pool, 8120 Vanalden St., candidates will be required to jump in from the side of the pool, swim 65 feet across, and dive down 12 feet to retrieve a dummy from the bottom. Candidates must then haul the dummy, which weighs 75 pounds wet, onto the pool deck.

The second portion requires candidates to complete a 200-yard medley swim of the breaststroke, backstroke, sidestroke and crawl, Shanto said. Potential lifeguards should be able to perform the first part of the test in one minute and the second half in less than 3 1/2 minutes. Swimmers who pass the physical test will be interviewed.

“During the interview,” Shanto said, “we will be looking for people who are safety conscious and interested in teaching basic swimming, water polo and synchronized swimming.”

Successful candidates will be invited to the region’s rookie lifeguard school, Shanto said. The four-session course will teach advanced lifeguard techniques, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pool chemistry and pool safety.

After completing rookie school, Shanto said, the 20 to 30 new lifeguards will join veteran lifeguards assigned to about 55 public pools in the region. The pools are scheduled to open to the public June 21.