Dozens pass initial test to be lifeguards

The Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department accepted 53 prospective seasonal rookie lifeguards after a tryout Saturday, Lt. Kai Bond said.

Fifty-six applicants arrived at Main Beach for the tryout, which included a 1,000-meter swim that candidates needed to complete in 20 minutes.

“I’m happy with the candidates we got,” Bond said.

Candidates must pass a background check and file necessary paperwork before the lifeguard academy begins the last weekend in March.

Candidates will need to pass physical and written exams, as well as practical skills tests related to the job during the academy, which continues through the first three weekends in April.

The number of seasonal lifeguards varies each year because of shifting staffing levels, but Bond said, “There’s a good possibility we’ll have more [positions] available this year because people have already notified us that they are moving on to other jobs.”

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce