Free Lifeguard Training Now Offered At Roxborough YMCA

ROXBOROUGH, PHILADELPHIA — Those interested in becoming a lifeguard at a Philadelphia public pool this summer can get free training in Roxborough.

The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation department announced new options for aspiring city lifeguards to earn their lifeguarding certification.

Applicants can now choose from five locations in the city to get the free training needed to work as a City lifeguard this summer.

The Roxborough YMCA is one of the new locations to get free lifeguard training.

Training is available at the YMCA from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays.

"Parks & Rec needs to hire between 350 to 400 lifeguards this summer to staff Philadelphia’s 60+ free outdoor public pools," said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. "With two weeks left for candidates to lock in a $500 end-of-season bonus, we’re ramping up efforts to recruit the lifeguards we need to open all available public pools this summer."

The first step for candidates interested in becoming lifeguards is to brush up on swimming skills and prepare for the lifeguard screening test.

Potential lifeguards can sign up for the screening test online here.

All potential lifeguards must pass the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Lifeguard Screening Test.

To pass the test, you must:

• Swim 300 yards non-stop (12 laps of freestyle or breaststroke). This is not a timed swim, but you must continuously swim the 12 lengths and not stop or you will need to start over.
• Tread water for two minutes using only your legs without your hands.
• Retrieve a 10-pound brick from a deep well. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the brick, using only your legs. The brick must be held out of the water with both hands. You must complete this task within one minute and 40 seconds.

The Roxborough YMCA is located at 7201 Ridge Ave.