Free lifeguard training program is back in LA County

Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation's Lifeguard Ready Training (LRT) program is offering a free training course for those interested in becoming lifeguards, as it's expanding its workforce and developing lifeguards within diverse communities.

Youth ages 16 to 24 are invited to participate in the training, which focuses on the necessary skills to become Los Angeles County Pool Lifeguards. The training is also designed to build candidates' water competence so they can successfully pass the swim test time standards.Those individuals who pass the test will then be able to participate in the County Pool Lifeguard Training Academy as a Pool Lifeguard candidate.

The LRT program will provide trainees with all the equipment needed to complete the program, which includes swimsuits, towels and duffel bags. Trainees will also be paired up with a group mentor who will also provide individual evaluations and support.

Pool Lifeguard Requirements

To qualify, individuals must meet the following requirements:

• Swim 500 yds in 10 minutes or less

• Be at least 16 at the time of the swim exam

• Have at least 20/30 in each eye with correction

• Have at least a 20/200 with both eyes open without correction.

The program will run at nine different locations including Whittier, Altadena, Sylmar, Los Angeles and Carson. The LRT program highly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

"Representation, especially in the realm of aquatics, is incredibly important. We want to make it feel accessible when our patients visit our facility and make them feel like they have comfortable spaces to interact with people that they can trust because they are participating in our programs and trusting us with themselves and their children. Also sustaining a familiar face from the neighborhood that reflects the neighborhood is important in creating that trust and building that sense of community," said Leonardo Ramirez spokesperson for the LA County Parks-Lifeguard recruitment.

Ramirez also believes that the program is beneficial especially to youth and non-aquatic communities. "There's communities that typically don't participate heavily in aquatics and it gives them that opportunity to train. The program being free is a huge for accessibility. So the accessibility is important and the outreach is important," he said.

Pool Lifeguard Swim Test Dates and Locations

The Pool Lifeguard swim tests will be held from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on the following dates and locations:

• February 3: Belvedere Aquatic Center, 5035 1st St, East Los Angeles, CA 90022

• February 10: Alondra Pool, 3353 Redondo Beach Blvd, Lawndale, CA 90260

• February 17: Ted Watkins Pool, 1335 E. 103rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90002

• March 16: Belvedere Aquatic Center, 5035 1st St, East Los Angeles, CA 90022

• March 23: Greater Whittier Regional Aquatic Center, 8028 Pioneer Blvd, Whittier, CA 90606

• May 18: San Fernando Pool, 300 Park Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340

Lake Lifeguard Requirements

To qualify, individuals must meet the following requirements:

• Swim 1,000 meters in 18 minutes or less

• Be at least 16 at the time of the swim exam

• Have at least 20/30 in each eye, without correction

• Have a valid California Class “C” driver's license

Lake Lifeguard Swim Test Dates & Locations

The Lake Lifeguard swim tests will be held from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on the following dates and locations:

• February 3: Castaic Aquatic Center, 31350 Castaic Rd, Castaic, CA 91384

• February 10:  Arcadia Park Pool, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

For more details on the program’s schedule, click here.