Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
That Lifeguard Shortage You Might Have Heard About? In LA Year-Round Beach Life Has Kept The Ranks Healthy
The Hansen Dam Aquatic Center features a large public swimming pool.
(
JuanCarlos Chan
/
Courtesy Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
)
With low unemployment and fewer in-person training sessions during the pandemic, there are national reports of lifeguards shortages across the country.
The good news close to home? That hasn’t been the case for L.A. County.
Pono Barnes, an ocean lifeguard specialist and spokesperson for the L.A. County Fire Department says unlike other places, L.A. County sees lifeguarding as “an essential public service” throughout the year and says the department is constantly recruiting.
“Los Angeles County — the first thing that people think is the beach and Baywatch and Santa Monica Pier, and so regardless of the season, it’s always a good beach day down here in L.A.,” Barnes said.
Support for LAist comes from
In other Southern California cities, lifeguard chiefs told LAist it’s been slower to recruit new guards this year, but they’ll have beaches fully staffed this summer.
Brian O’Rourke, chief lifeguard in Newport Beach, said only about 40 people showed up to the department’s swim test this year. In years past, that number was up to 100.
“Coming out of the pandemic, or moving through it, we haven’t been able to get our lifeguard recruiters out to schools. We’ve been doing it through social media, and I think that has definitely…has hurt the effort,” O’Rourke said.
But he said the department, which guards about six miles of the coast in Orange County, is still running at full staff.
What's going on elsewhere? Here's what NPR reported earlier this week:
The shortage is affecting about a third of public pools across the country, leading some public pools to reduce hours or close altogether, the American Lifeguard Association says. And it says the shortage could extend into next year.
... The pandemic has taken a toll on the number of lifeguards. It's meant two years of very little lifeguard training and expiring certifications on top of that, Bernard J. Fisher II, director of health and safety for the lifeguard association, told NPR.
Support for LAist comes from
The shortage nationwide has the lifeguard association offering incentives throughout this year:
American Lifeguard Association® National Lifeguard Referral Program
— American Lifeguard Association (@Americanlifegu) May 10, 2022
We will pay you $50 for every qualified referral through 2022#lifeguards #swimmers #firstaidtraining #Jobs #lifeguardcertification pic.twitter.com/wrjiYXIPbA
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzOTZweCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist