Bayside Lifeguard Certification Makes A Splash Amid Citywide Shortage

QUEENS, NY — The citywide lifeguard shortage has wreaked havoc on summer swim programs across the five boroughs, but a community center in Bayside is trying a different approach: training lifeguards itself.

In an effort to expand the pool of lifeguards at swim clubs in Bay Terrace and Little Neck, Commonpoint Queens, a social services non-profit in the borough, is hiring and certifying lifeguards this upcoming weekend.

The certification course, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, is open to people ages 15 and older who are strong swimmers and interested in a summer job at one of the pools, according to the organization.

This season, both pools operate daily through September 5, with additional open hours on the weekends of September 10 and 17.

Seasonal membership ranges from $1,970 for a family with two parents and three children under 18-years-old to $755 for people over the age of 62. Children under 12-months-old can visit the pool for free.

While the season is well underway at Commonpoint's pool clubs, other swim centers in Queens haven't made quite as big a splash, instead contending with surprise closures and repair-related reopening delays.

For more information about this weekend's lifeguard certification course, email certificationclasses@commonpointqueens.org.