CLEARWATER, Fla. — According to the American Lifeguard Association, there have been lifeguard shortages across the country ever since the pandemic, and the industry is struggling to recover.  

Clearwater is creating a pipeline of future lifeguards, though, through its Junior Lifeguard camps, aimed at kids ages 8 to 16.

  • Clearwater Beach lifeguards teach kids all about being a lifeguard at Junior Lifeguard Camp 

  •  The camp is for kids 8 to 16

  •  The American Lifeguard Association reports lifeguard shortages nationwide

It’s not just a day at the beach for the kids at the Junior Lifeguard camp. They’re running drills and learning all about what it takes to be a lifeguard.

“They learn everything from basic entries, rescues, working with rescue equipment, rescue watercraft, but then again they learn first aid, CPR, all of our medical equipment, but then at the end of the day it’s basic beach and water safety,” said Patrick Brafford, the Beach Lifeguard manager for Clearwater Fire Rescue’s Lifeguard Division.

Brafford has been a lifeguard for 14 years, and he says it’s his dream job. 

“There was nothing else I wanted to do. First time I went to the beach, I saw the lifeguards, and I just fell in love with it, and lucky for me, it worked out. We’re hoping in turn that this exposure to these children they’ll have that same kind of effect on them.”

Harper Hart, 11, and 9-year-old Cayden Premo are in the camp with 8 to 12 year old children. 

“My dad’s a fireman and I got inspired by him so I wanted to learn about the water and how I can save people,” said Premo.

They take turns playing the “victim” and the rescuer, learn all the lifeguard signals, and practice swimming.   

Hart says that’s initially why she wanted to come to this camp, and now, she can see herself being a real lifeguard one day. 

“I like the rescues. You can actually learn how to do them and use real people,” she said.

Brafford says kids like Hart and Premo are the future of this profession, and he hopes by exposing them to it at a young age, they’ll be back putting in applications once they’re grown.

“It can be a revolving door. We’re a year round operation. It takes a lot of staff to make that happen, especially with how busy Florida, and clearwater beach, are becoming, so we’re always looking for good folks out here to fill these stands,” he said.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue officials say they have noticed a drop in the number of people who are applying for lifeguard positions, and who are qualified to do the job. 

Right now, they have 10 full time lifeguards, with one opening, and 22 part-time lifeguards with three openings. They say they’re always looking for lifeguards.