Some background
The lifeguard shortage is a national issue that began before the pandemic and has since worsened. During the pandemic, swim teams, where lifeguard-worthy skills might be forged, didn’t meet, according to the Parks Department.
Not all areas have experienced the same issue, though. In fact, two lifeguards who work for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which runs state beaches and pools, told Crain’s the office has not experienced a lifeguard shortage. The lifeguards attributed the state’s ability to hire and retain lifeguards to a powerful union and a highly regarded reputation spurred by one of the most difficult tests in the country. This inspires young and qualified people to keep trying out every year, said Carey Epstein, a lifeguard at Jones Beach State Park.
The shortage has also affected private pools and swimming programs. Brendan O’Melveny is a chief aquatics officer at Imagine Swimming, a private swimming school headquartered in Union Square that serves about 4,000 kids at its three locations. This season Imagine Swimming is missing lifeguards for five shifts, he said. At its largest facility in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, O’Melveny said, they can accept only 40% to 50% of the typical number of students due to the staffing issue.
Imagine Swimming has increased its pay rates in the past few years to increase hiring and retention, O’Melveny said. As a result, its expenses have increased, and swimming lesson prices were raised by 10% to reflect that, he said.
The city offers free swimming lessons at indoor pools, but they operate on a lottery system and have limited availability across the five boroughs.
“It’s a really important piece of the puzzle,” O’Melveny said of taking lessons. “Drowning is the leading cause of death in children under 5. [Taking lessons] reduces the rate of drowning for those kids by 88%.”