Chilly Water Prompts Beach Patrol Tryout Change

CLEWARWTER, FL — Tampa Bay area residents who were ready to dive in to tryout for Clearwater’s Beach Patrol will have to wait just a little bit longer. The city has announced chilly Gulf of Mexico waters have prompted a rescheduling of its hiring event.

“Due to water temperatures of the Gulf expected to drop below 60 degrees by Saturday morning, the city of Clearwater has decided to reschedule this event for Saturday, March 25,” a Thursday afternoon email from the city said.

The city announced last week it planned to host lifeguard tryouts on March 18. The event was intended to take place at the Clearwater Beach Lifeguard Station, 190 S. Gulfview Blvd., at 8:30 a.m. It will now take place at the same time and location on March 25.

Tryouts involve an intense display of physical abilities, including completion of a 500-meter open water swim and a 1-mile beach run. The swim must be finished in under 10 minutes with the swim and run combined completed under 18 minutes.

“The second phase of the tryout will require participants to successfully rescue an unconscious victim, tow them to shore and drag them five yards to dry sand,” the email said. “Upon successful completion of all three, you will be scored, ranked and possibly scheduled for an interview.”

Applicants must be at least 17 years old and must complete USLA site-specific lifeguard training and USDOT 1st Responder courses within six months of hire. Valid First Aid and CPR certification is required, along with other credentials, including a Florida driver’s license.

For more information about Clearwater’s Beach Patrol, visit the city’s website.

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Photo courtesy of the city of Clearwater