The sky outside may be gray and wet, but according to the calendar summer has officially started. While most people are out buying a new bathing suit or getting their beach bodies ready, City of Nanaimo lifeguards are getting prepared too. During the week of June 21-26 the waterfront lifeguard training camp will be taking place at Westwood Lake as the City Aquatics Department gets ready to open Westwood Lake 1st Beach on July 2nd.
Training for the waterfront location involves very specialized rescue techniques. Heading up this year’s training team is Kathy Gonzales, Aquatic Coordinator, as well as senior lifeguards Wesley Hankins and Alli Cheng. The training team will guide lifeguards through a series of challenging rescue and fitness standards, including:
- 100 meter Run/Swim/Tow (a victim)
- Deep water rescue techniques
- Spinal injury rescue techniques
- Rescue board challenges
- Underwater searches
- General rescue scenarios
Want to see for self what it takes to be a waterfront lifeguard?
Join us at 1st Beach on June 26th from 11:00am – 3:00pm. You will be amazed as you watch lifeguards respond to a variety of rescue situations and physical standards.
Remember be safe in the water: choose a lifeguarded beach or pool, learn to swim, never swim alone and keep children within reach at all times. Lifeguards will be on patrol at Westwood Lake daily from 12:00pm - 6:00pm between Victoria Day to Labour Day weekends.