City lifeguard applications to go live this week
11 June 2021
The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department will start with new applications and assessments of lifeguards for the summer season this weekend. Off season, the department has been in partnership with swimming clubs providing training for lifeguard candidates and swimming lessons for residents through Learn-to-Swim programmes at various swimming pools across the city.
The City has started preparations for approximately 600 seasonal lifeguard positions to be filled. An estimated 330 positions have been allocated for seasonal beach lifeguards and 300 for seasonal swimming pool lifeguards. This year only online applications will be accepted. Candidates are required to register for e-recruitment on the City’s website and complete the application form online when it goes live this coming weekend.
Our libraries offer a valuable public service including access to SmartCape computers, which prospective applicants can use to apply for the Lifeguard Positions. To use the SmartCape service at your local library, you have to be a member of a library. Strict Covid-19 protocols are applicable at all libraries.
Requirements for seasonal pool lifeguards include:
A Grade 10 certificate (a valid lifeguard certificate would be an advantage)
At least 24 months ( four seasons) relevant lifesaving experience
Physical fitness and the ability to demonstrate capabilities based on standards set by Lifesaving South Africa
Clear criminal record and no pending criminal cases, awaiting trial and/or pending sentencing cases
Good communication and strong interpersonal skills
Drug free (Please note that all shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo compulsory drug testing)
Applicants for seasonal beach lifeguards are required to:
- Grade 10 report and six months’ voluntary duties with a Surf Lifesaving Club and/or have worked one season as a temporary/ seasonal Surf Lifeguard or;
- A qualification equivalent to a grade 10 and six months’ voluntary duties with a Surf Lifesaving Club and/or have worked one season as a temporary/seasonal Surf Lifeguard or;
- A minimum of five years lifesaving experience while in possession of a Lifeguard Award with valid annual retests
A valid Surf Lifeguard Award, Rescue Swimmer Award or equivalent with current annual retest
Clear criminal record and no pending criminal cases, awaiting trial and/ or pending sentencing cases
Drug free (please note that all shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo compulsory drug testing)
Valid Level 2 First Aid certificate or will be required to obtain one within six months of appointment
• A valid Code A motorcycle licence or Code EB driver’s licence would be an advantage
All shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo compulsory competency assessments.
The Recreation and Parks Department currently provides a Learn-to-Swim programme at Athlone, Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park, Langa, Long Street, Muizenberg, Strand and Wesfleur swimming pools. These swimming lessons have proved to be highly popular with community members participating. Most of the City’s swimming pools have a proud relationship with private swimming clubs and lifesaving clubs that offer volunteers to give lessons at the pools. At the moment, there are approximately 530 participants taking lessons at different facilities.
‘Swimming is a great form of exercise and residents, young and old, who have learned to swim, have acquired a useful life skill. The swimming pools are offered to clubs at no cost and we are proud to be part of such a great initiative. Winter is actually a great time to participate in swimming lessons as the pools are usually not that busy compared to during the peak summer season’, said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
The Learn-to-Swim programmes have two categories - one for first-time swimmers who are mainly children from the local community that can’t access private lessons but want to learn how to swim and another for the training of potential lifeguards who use the programme to improve their lap times for testing, staying fit and learning the rules of swimming pools and the duties of lifeguards. Many of these lessons are offered by lifesaving clubs who also look for new recruits.
The Recreation and Parks Department also ensures that the pools are up to standard and have equipment available for anyone requiring it. Such equipment includes pool noodles, kicker boards, floating belts and toddler life jackets.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
