Lifeguard Shortage

Channel 6 Action News, Friday, June 9th, 2000

Beach Patrols all along the Jersey coast are experiencing lifeguard shortages. Stone Harbor has 10 openings, Wildwood has 20.

Lt. Steve McGuinn of Wildwood Beach Patrol: “Every shore community needs people - it’s a constant battle to fill them with qualified workers.”

On Saturday there will be lifeguard tryouts all along the coast. Requirements vary slightly from town to town. Stone Harbor’s applicants must do a 1/2 mile swim, a combination run and surf dash, a 7 minute mile and an interview.

Robert Lythgoe of Stone Harbor Beach Patrol: “It’s a test where you need both endurance for the swim and speed for the run.”

In Wildwood it’s more of the same but applicants must also be able to move the stand by themselves.

Beach Patrols have become more competitive about recruiting new members. Last year both Wildwood and Stone Harbor paid first year lifeguards about $53 a day. This year, Stone Harbor upped the ante and their day rate is now $70.

Lt. Rod Tice of Stone Harbor Beach Patrol: “This year we increased our pay hoping that it will attract more guards.”

Better paying jobs and career-oriented internships may be luring many potential applicants away. But Stone Harbor lifeguard Robert Lythgoe says his job has its rewards. “You don’t have a boss looking over your shoulder. we are on the beach ourselves. We make our own decisions.”