L.A. County seeks future lifeguards between ages of 16 and 24

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation is launching a program to recruit Black, Indigenous people of color ages 16 to 24 for careers in aquatics.

The Lifeguard Ready Training program will train youth ages 16 and over to become L.A. County swimming pool lifeguards. An information web seminar will take place Friday at 10 a.m. Register here.

Registration to join the Lifeguard Ready Training program will begin at noon Friday.

The program will be held at Belvedere Aquatic Center in East Los Angeles, Jesse Owens Park and Roosevelt Park Pools in South Los Angeles. Up to 240 participants will be chosen for the free training. There will be three six-week sessions. The first training session begins Sept. 27. Other start dates will be Nov. 8 and Jan. 3.

Candidates will receive instruction in swim stroke development, basic water rescue and an introduction to first aid, CPR and AED. After the completion of the program, participants should be ready to successfully complete the County of Los Angeles Pool Lifeguard Training and can also attend the County of Los Angeles Lake Lifeguard examination and complete their training. The physical skill gained through this program can also be used to try out for the County of Los Angeles Beach Lifeguard examination.

The basic requirements to enroll in the program include being able to swim 500 yards in 9 minutes and 30 seconds or less and have at least 20/30 in each eye with correction and at least 20/200 with both eyes open without correction.