The park boards Lifeguard School begins Jan. 10 for prospective lifeguards interested in summer employment at Vancouvers 11 beaches and all indoor and outdoor pools. In its 76th year, the schoolprovides comprehensive training for new and returning lifeguards. Sessions are held at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquatic Centre and include: National Lifeguard Service pool and waterfront options, aquatic emergency care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), standard first aid, competition and skill development sessions, lifeguard public relations, automatic external defibrillation (AED) training and pre-certifications and re-certifications.
The school is open to qualified lifeguards and those who already have their Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross and are planning to take their National Lifeguard Service Award. Successful participants are given priority when the park board hires new staff for the summer. Starting lifeguards earn more than $22 per hour depending on their location. The training qualifies participants to lifeguard anywhere in Canada. Sessions are also available for new and returning employees who need to recertify or upgrade their skills.The park board employs 36 full-time and more than 150 part-time lifeguards for the summer season. To pre-register or for additional information, contact the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquatic Centre at 1050 Beach Ave., call 604-665-3421 or got to vancouverparks.ca.