Lifeguard tryouts in December

Although summer is a long way off, the City's Parks & Recreation Department is already gearing up for the season by holding lifeguard assessment sessions during the month of December - the first step to becoming a New York City lifeguard.
&#8220Water safety depends on great lifeguards, and while it's starting to get cold, summer will be here before we know it,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
Participants must bring a bathing suit, towel, and a combination lock or padlock to an assessment session. There, each will take a swimming test administered by the Parks Lifeguard School. Qualifying candidates must be able to swim 50 yards in 35 seconds with proper form. Goggles are optional.
Additionally, to qualify candidates must be at least 16 years old when assuming the lifeguard position and have a minimum of 20/30 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other, without corrective lenses. Glasses and contact lenses are not permitted during the eye exam.
Those who pass the assessment will qualify for the Parks' mandatory Lifeguard Training Program, which will begin in January 2007. The program is free and qualifying candidates may enroll in it following their assessment.
Nevertheless, for those who do not pass the time trial, there is still hope for a crack at the job which has a starting salary of $11.72 an hour for a 48-hour week, according to the Parks' Department. For the first time, the Lifeguard School will offer free swimming clinics designed to improve applicants' stroke efficiency and level of conditioning. Those who show improvement will be permitted to re-take the trial.
All candidates who attend a Lifeguard Assessment Session will be issued a Lifeguard Conditioning Pass, which will allow them to practice free of charge at all of the City's 11 indoor pools.
Queens lifeguard assessment sessions will take place on Thursdays, December 14 and 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Richmond Hill High School, located at 89-30 114th Street. For more information, please call the Lifeguard School at 212-397-3157.