Lifeguard Shortage Has Pool Management Treading Water

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Twin Cities pools are filling up with swimmers this week, but some pools are facing shortages in lifeguards.

While some pools say they are at full staff, others have had to get creative to make sure swimmers are safe.

Minneapolis pools and beaches are at full staff, but some other areas, like Edina and Richfield, say hiring has been a true struggle this year.

Red is likely the color you associate with life guards but at Richfield's pool, some of the staff are wearing navy. It's the uniform of a new position they've had to create because it's been so tough to hire lifeguards.

"We've had a lot of issues trying to recruit enough lifeguards this year," said Kris Weiby, a facilities manager at Richfield Parks and Recreation. "It's been a real challenge."

Newly retired Richfield lifeguard Leah Boldt thinks she knows why.

"People don't want to lifeguard," she said. "They think it's too much pressure."

There are also several days of training that can cost over $100.

"For a lot of people, especially teenagers my age, it's really hard to find $200 to start your job," Boldt said.

So Weiby's team has had to get creative. They've had to hire pool attendants who do things like regulate traffic on the slides and help make surveillance rounds at the pool to free up lifeguards and maintain safety.

"We've really had to adjust how we schedule our lifeguards," Weiby said.

Still, guards are working longer shifts, some are working six days a week.

But despite the stretch, Weiby say they have it covered -- for now.

Mineapolis says the lifeguard shortage is something they have dealt with for the past few years, but they changed their application process, opening it earlier, and they are at full staff.

The requirements to become a lifeguard can vary, but to become Red Cross certified, applicants must be 15 or older, and it takes about 25 hours of training.

You can find lifeguarding classes in your area here.

Here are the pools that still have an application listed on their website:

- Water Park of America
- Maple Grove
- Eagan
- Wayzata
- Eden Prairie Summer Camps
- Edina YMCA