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Lifeguard hopefuls put through their paces<span><p>‘Lifeguards are preparing for an unpredictable summer with new safety and hygiene protocols in place. The City of Cape Town’s latest intake of swimming pool lifeguards were put through their paces to ensure they are prepared ahead of the upcoming school holidays and summer season. The City wants to ensure we have enough well-trained and qualified lifeguards on duty’,  said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><p>For the last two weeks, the Recreation and Parks Department has tested the abilities of shortlisted candidates at Retreat Indoor Swimming Pool. </p> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Cllor%20Badroodien%2c%20Helen%20Jordaan%2c%20PC%20chair%20Ronel%20Viljoen.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>Beach lifeguards will also be tested on their abilities in the surf, not only during the induction phase but randomly throughout their period of employment.</p><p>‘By the very nature of their work, lifeguards put their own lives on the line to rescue others from drowning. We owe a debt of gratitude to our brave City lifeguards, who step forward and commit themselves to the process,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p>Drowning Prevention within the department is co-ordinated by a skilled team comprising 10 project work streams, to ensure that every aspect of safety is considered and provided for. This year has already presented new challenges with activities having to be done differently and many components of the recruitment process had to be done remotely and assessments were redesigned for limited contact and with smaller groups of applicants processed every day.</p> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/lifeguard%20assessments1.jpg" alt="" style="width:940px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>Once appointed, seasonal lifeguards will commence duty from October 2020 to April or June 2021, depending on where they are placed.</p><p>They will have to be ready for adjusted standard operating and rescue procedures, as crowd patterns of locals and tourists in Cape Town during the festive season are unpredictable. </p><p>It is also likely the swimming pool capacities will be limited in order to meet social distancing and other national regulations. </p> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/lifeguard%20assessments2.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure>​​</span><span>​​</span><span>​​</span><p>‘The City is committed to making a success of the 2020/21 summer season, and is looking forward to offering safe swimming spaces regardless of the uncertainties that we currently face. We're looking forward to a safe season and we are proud of the lifeguards who will be stationed at the City’s open swimming pools and 29 beaches across the coast,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong><br></p>2020-09-03T22:00:00ZGP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891dGP0|#3000e814-db15-4d80-8852-2077304275bd;L0|#03000e814-db15-4d80-8852-2077304275bd|lifeguards;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#24aec1a8-6b7e-4ca2-a2ee-0687aa99a7a1;L0|#024aec1a8-6b7e-4ca2-a2ee-0687aa99a7a1|swimming pool;GPP|#3000e814-db15-4d80-8852-2077304275bd;GP0|#ed82ebba-eb32-4b9a-99c9-da3e081869a6;L0|#0ed82ebba-eb32-4b9a-99c9-da3e081869a6|Safe city1

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