Looking for Lifeguards in Tillsonburg

Monday, 16 July 2018 13:19

Tillsonburg's Aquatics Department is offering a new program in hopes of addressing a lifeguard shortage.

TILLSONBURG - Tillsonburg's Aquatics Department is looking to address a lifeguard shortage.

They have 20 staff members at the Tillsonburg Community Centre right now, but they should have about 24 to 26. They have been able to run their programs with these numbers in the past, but they had to make some cancellations this year.

They have hired more people recently, but Aquatics Supervisor Julie Dawley says they're hoping to bring more onboard.

"We're opting to offer a program where if someone is interested in working for us, we will pay for their training. If they are successful in their training then we would like to hire them in September and have them here as an ongoing employee."

The student position would require after school, evening and weekend availability. Dawley says they will also try to work with your schedule if you are a lifeguard at another pool in the region.

Dawley believes this could be an amazing opportunity for those looking for their lifelong passion.

"I was a competitive swimmer and I was a competitive synchronized swimmer. I was fortunate enough that my parents put me through all of these programs and I fell in love with aquatics. It has been my full time position with the town of Tillsonburg for 40 years and I absolutely love what I do. I think there could be that opportunity for others to find out that that is their niche in life; to teach people how to swim and to ensure that we can eradicate drowning."

If you are 16 years old you have to be able to swim 10 to 20 lengths of the pool and take a Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses. Afterwards you would have to take the Standard First Aid course before participating in the Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor courses.

The courses will get underway Monday July 23rd, so anyone interested should contact Dawley by calling 519-688-9011 as soon as possible.