Swim safety school training lifeguards and bridging shortage

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The ongoing lifeguard shortage across the country might have forced your community pool to shorten its hours, or close completely.

To keep swimming pools open, a Richmond-based lifeguard training program is expanding the hiring pool. Swim RVA has certified hundreds of lifeguards and lifeguard instructors, with a goal of certifying a thousand people every year.

Executive Director Adam Kennedy said creating more lifeguards does not end with Swim RVA.

"In order to create lifeguards, we need lifeguard instructors," Kennedy said. "So at Swim RVA what we’re really focused on is training the trainer. Can we put more people out in the field that are running their own training course at their own organization, so that every organization has the ability to create the lifeguard they need to stay open and serve the community."

Kennedy said lifeguards are as important to the pool as the water or the lights. Lifeguarding can be an entry point to a career in swim instruction or facility management -- and it's not just a job for students on summer vacation.

Maia Weaver recertified as a lifeguard when she was 55 years old. She's now 65, and the senior aquatics coordinator for life safety at Swim RVA.

"I can do anything that any of these kids can do," Weaver said.

Weaver also said that lifeguarding is very doable at any stage of life. She said anyone that's active, wants to impact people and wants to learn can become a lifeguard.

"The impact that a lifeguard can have on someone, just being friendly, just being welcoming, is what keeps people engaged," Weaver said. "And keeps people coming back to the water."