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Would-be lifeguards make a splash

<p>Candidates who applied for seasonal swimming pool lifeguarding positions are doing their practical assessments this week, with those vying for beach lifeguard positions getting their turn next week. Read more below:<br></p>

<div>The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department is waist-deep in lifeguard assessments for the upcoming summer season.</div><div><br></div><div>In July, the Department advertised for applications, with hundreds of candidates responding to the call.<br></div><div><br></div><div><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/BES_1495.JPG" alt="" /></figure></span>While the City has a core group of permanent senior lifeguards, it recruits seasonal lifeguards every year, to help keep an eye on the thousands of visitors to public amenities as part of the Drowning Prevention Programme. </div><div><br></div><div>This week, those who have applied for temporary positions at the City’s swimming pools are undergoing their practical assessments.<br></div><div><br></div><div><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/BES_1311.jpg" alt="" style="width:1052px;" /></figure></span>The candidates have to pass a compulsory swim and rescue test and demonstrate first aid skills to make it to the final shortlist.</div><div><br></div><div>The minimum swimming requirement for pool lifeguards is 100 metres in under two minutes, and for beach lifeguards it is 400 metres in under eight minutes.</div><div><br></div><div><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_1457.JPG" alt="" style="width:802px;" /></figure></span>Applicants must also have a clean criminal record, with no pending charges and be drug free.</div><div><br></div><div>‘The recruitment of lifeguards is a critical part of our summer readiness journey. And, while much rests on the physical ability to help a person out of the pool or the surf, drowning prevention also happens in the daily conversations about water safety and personal responsibility with visitors to our amenities. Our lifeguards are safety ambassadors, and they have a mammoth task to fulfil each summer. So I want to thank all of the candidates who applied for these seasonal posts, and I wish them the very best for the remainder of the selection process,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.</div><div><br></div><div>The Recreation and Parks Department received seasonal swimming pool lifeguard applications from a total of 887 candidates (this includes candidates from last season who did not need to reapply). On average, 222 candidates will be assessed each day this week.</div><div><br></div><div>The goal is to fill 316 posts at swimming pools.</div><div><br></div><div>There were 382 applicants (inclusive of those who worked last season and did not need to reapply) who showed interest in seasonal beach lifeguard positions, with a view to filling 340 posts by the start of the festive season.</div><div><br></div><div>Assessments for these positions will take place between 7 and 11 August 2023.<br></div><p><br></p>

2023-08-02T22:00:00Z

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