TO THE RESCUE

THE Y’S AQUATICS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE ADDRESSES NYC’S LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE

It may be the middle of winter, but at the Y we are already thinking ahead to the hot days of summer. Last summer, because of a massive lifeguard shortage both nationally and citywide, some beaches and public pools in New York City had to close or reduce hours. Families who normally use pools and beaches for leisure and cooling places had no access to these spaces. And worse, there was an increase in swimming injuries and accidental drownings as some New Yorkers accessed water spaces that were not monitored by lifeguards.

The Y’s Aquatics Center of Excellence is working to address these issues. Launched in the fall of 2021, the center offers lifeguard training and certification, as well as development courses for promising swimmers who require more support before training as lifeguards. Once certified, participants are eligible to apply for jobs at the Y and other swimming facilities across the city.

Because of a generous grant from the Revson Foundation, we are committed to training and certifying 200 new lifeguards by Summer 2023, which will help to reopen pools and beaches across the city. Additionally, in order to create lasting change to address this ongoing crisis, the Y is leading a citywide task force to address systemic issues related to recruitment, certification and employment of lifeguards across New York City.•