As the City of Whitesboro kicks off its 44th swimming season, Parks and Recreation Department Director (PARD) Penny Renfroe welcomes returning pool staff members.
“We are incredibly blessed to have 19 returning staff members at our facility for this summer; 85% of our pool staff are veteran members! In a time when there has been a national lifeguard shortage, it’s almost unheard of to be in this situation,” Renfroe said.
According to the American Lifeguard Association (USA Today, July 13, 2024), in 2024 the lifeguard shortage was estimated to have affected about one-third of the nation’s public pools, causing reduced hours or closures. Although the shortage is not a new issue, the pandemic contributed to this issue by slowing down the process of certifying new lifeguards. In addition, other factors like barriers to training, low wages, tough working conditions and the seasonal nature of the job played a part in the national shortage.
What Whitesboro’s unique position means for our community is a wealth of experience. Among 19 lifeguard staff members, there is a previous combined 53 years of experience, ranging per guard from one to six years of previous experience. Besides pure experience, this translates to less time training on local procedures and increased communication and team development.
There is also a wealth of experience in water rescues. The staff’s combined number of rescues is 48. (An encounter is deemed a rescue when a lifeguard enters the water because a patron is in danger of drowning.) The total number of assists is 95. (An assist occurs when a lifeguard intervenes or uses rescue equipment for a distressed swimmer.)
“These numbers are pretty staggering. But the rate of our rescues has greatly improved since we implemented a swim test in order to enter the diving well,” Renfroe said. “Swimmers now must demonstrate swimming proficiency in order to go off the diving board or down the slide, unless using a life jacket.”
As explained by the American Lifeguard Association, lifeguards do more than simply respond to emergencies. They play a proactive role in preventing accidents. By monitoring swimmer behavior, lifeguards can identify and address potentially dangerous situations before they escalate. They enforce safety rules, educate patrons on safe swimming practices and ensure that the aquatic environment is safe for everyone.
The Community Swimming Pool opened for the season on Saturday, May 24 and is open daily. Instructional lessons are offered in two-week sessions in June and July. For more information about the swimming pool and other PARD activities, visit their website at www.whitesboro.org/pard.
