TAMPA, Fla. — School is almost out for summer and some pools in the Tampa Bay area are looking to hire lifeguards, as a shortage continues to impact pools across the country.

What You Need To Know

  • One-third of the country's public pools were impacted by the nationwide lifeguard shortage last year, according to the American Lifeguard Association

  • Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas County are all looking for more lifeguards

  • Experts say the ongoing shortage traces back to the pandemic, when there were fewer opportunities for applicants to get their lifeguard certification

One-third of the country's public pools were impacted by the lifeguard shortage last year, according to the American Lifeguard Association. As a result, experts fear pools could face another summer of closures and sporadic hours.

At the Highlander Pool in Dunedin, Alicia Castricone is getting ready to kick off another summer season. But like other pools in the area, she's on the hunt for lifeguards.

“It is very concerning," said Castricone, a program coordinator with Dunedin Parks & Recreation. "With summer right around the corner, we need as many lifeguards as we can get to help supply and staff all the pools and beaches to prevent drowning.”

Hillsborough County recently increased the pay rate for lifeguards to $15.45 to help with hiring, according to a county spokesperson, who said it's been a challenge to find enough lifeguards. In Manatee County, officials are actively recruiting for both pool and beach lifeguards. The county has five vacancies for beach lifeguards and 20 vacancies for regular pool lifeguards, a spokesperson said.

The City of Dunedin already increased the hourly pay and expanded training opportunities to try to attract more applicants, Castricone said. The ongoing shortage traces back to the pandemic, when there were fewer opportunities for candidates to get certified, the American Lifeguard Association said.

Castricone said lifeguards are crucial for communities – and the job entails more than just sitting in a chair.

“Lifeguards are first responders," she said. "We are the first people here when there is an accident. We make that 911 phone call, but in the interim in that time we’re the ones that are keeping the situation under control.”

Anyone 15 years and older can enroll in the training course at Highlander Pool. But Castricone said the job is for anyone, and could especially be good for retirees.

“The benefits are that you’re always physically active, you get to meet the participants and be a part of the community, as well as enforcing rules but also preventing drowning," she said.

The American Lifeguard Association explained many lifeguards tend to be high school and college students who work part-time or only for a few summers, which is prolonging the shortage. With people counting on pools as the weather turns hot, cities and counties said they're doing what they can to make sure people can take a cool dip safely.

Click here to learn more about the City of Dunedin's lifeguard training course. If you're already certified and looking to apply for a lifeguard job, click here.