Park Board Lifeguard School begins January 14

January 5, 2010 (No. 1) - The Vancouver Park Board's Lifeguard School begins January 14, 2010 for prospective lifeguards interested in summer employment at Vancouver's 11 beaches and all indoor and outdoor pools. In its 74th year, the school provides comprehensive training for new and returning lifeguards. Sessions are held at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre and include National Lifeguard Service Pool and Waterfront Options, Aquatic Emergency Care, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Standard First Aid, Competition and Skill Development sessions, Lifeguard Public Relations and Automatic External Defibrillation (AED) training.

The school is open to those with their Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross who are planning to take their National Lifeguard Service award as well as qualified lifeguards. Successful participants are given priority when the Park Board hires new staff for the summer where starting lifeguards earn over $20 per hour (depending on location). The training also qualifies participants to lifeguard anywhere in Canada. Sessions are also available for new and returning employees who need to recertify or upgrade skills.

Instructors with the Park Board's Lifeguard School have a vast knowledge of lifeguard experiences and are professional educators in the fields of emergency services, medicine and aquatic administration. The Park Board employs 40 full time and over 150 part time lifeguards for the summer season.

To pre-register or for additional information contact the Vancouver Aquatic Centre at 1050 Beach Avenue, call 604-665-3421 or visit the Park Board lifeguard webpage at vancouverparks.ca

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For more information, Contact Glenn Schultz, Supervisor Beaches & Outdoor Pools, at 604- 665-3418.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.