After a Lifeguard fast-track course filled up for the month of May, a new course has been introduced at the Eastlink Centre. The Shallow Water Attendant Course will be offered for the first time at the facility on May 13th. Assistant Manager Carol Longmore says she hopes these positions would become extra eyes on the shallow parts of the pool.
“Right now, we have a very structured aquatic schedule as many of the people in the community knows. If we can get some of these Shallow Attendants in place, we are going to be able to open some more of these amenities much quicker.”
She adds that as feedback and interest comes in, they will open up more of these courses to the public. It is $70 to sign up.
Prerequisites include being a minimum age of 14 years old. They must also have an AEC course under their belt. A person would also be allowed in if they had a combination of Bronze Cross and First Aid instead of the AEC course.
The lifeguard fast-track course takes place this month. It will leave people with half the certification needed to get into the lifeguard chair. Once they complete it, they need to get the Red Cross certification.
“It helps us meet our needs in regards to our shortage of staff as well in a much shorter fashion.”
Spots for this round of the program have already filled up.
Longmore explains that there is talks about getting a similar course going for the Red Cross portion of the lifeguard certification.
