New York recruits lifeguards overseas ahead of summer

There’s still snow on the ground, but city officials are hoping that sandy beaches and summer vacations are on the brain.

The parks department on Wednesday kicked off a hunt for 1,200 lifeguards to man the city’s nearly 14 miles of beaches and 53 public pools this summer.

Last season the city employed a record 1,150 lifeguards, and it’s hoping at least 600 will return. It’s a boost from years past, when the city was forced to close some sections of beach because of staffing shortages.

Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe said the success in the past few years is due mostly to aggressive recruiting.

“We haven’t been taking for granted that we’ll have lifeguards to choose from,” he said Wednesday. “We’ve looked around the world and targeted colleges and universities all over the country, and it’s working. We had our best year ever last year.”

About 60 lifeguards came from overseas last year, Benepe said. This year, the parks department is partnering with the city’s tourism marketing group, NYC & Company, to attract lifeguards from colleges in Ireland, Germany and Britain. The city helps with visas and with finding a place to live for nonresidents, Benepe said.

Lifeguards work 48 hours a week and make at least $11.72 an hour. To land a lifeguard job, a candidate has to be at least 16 years old and be able to swim 50 yards in 35 seconds. There’s also a written test and 40 hours of training.

Dorota Lewandowski, a 17-year-old from Queens, worked as a lifeguard at Rockaway Beach last summer and plans to return.

“It’s a great job, a great experience to save lives,” she said. “Being out in the sun all day and getting tan is pretty good, too. I can’t wait for summer.”

Last summer, more than 22.2 million people flocked to the city’s beaches and pools. The season starts on May 26 for beaches and June 29 for pools and goes until Labor Day.

by colleen long / associated press writer

FEB 21, 2007