Vancouver Park Board sees lifeguard shortage again

The warm, summer-like temperatures have many around the Vancouver area flocking to beaches and pools to enjoy the sunny days.

But many people’s plans could be affected as the Vancouver Park Board says it doesn’t have enough lifeguards available to work.

The Park Board says staffing the city’s outdoor pools and nine beaches is “a top priority” and staff shortages may periodically affect service levels.

A statement on social media Sunday drew criticism online after the board said “SERVICE UPDATE: Due to lifeguard staffing shortages, two beaches will be unguarded today: Spanish Banks West and Sunset Beach. Please take care!”

Sooo …good luck out there swimming

— David (@Vandaytrader) June 4, 2023

“I probably wouldn’t let my kids go [swimming],” one person told CityNews. “I like the safety of having lifeguards on the beach keeping an eye out on things. We went swimming at Spanish Banks yesterday and the tide was so strong, so I would be worried about kids getting swept in with the current.”

The lifeguard shortage isn’t exclusive to Vancouver. According to The Lifesaving Society, staff running pools across Canada are trying to entice people to work as lifeguards amid a shortage, as COVID-19 exacerbated challenges, with very few people able to get the in-person training they needed to be certified.

Related Articles:

• Vancouver’s Kitsilano Pool to open June 4

• Vancouver’s outdoor pools open; beach lifeguard patrols begin

On Friday, the Ontario government lowered the minimum age requirement for lifeguards from 16 to 15 years old in a move aimed at addressing the staffing shortage.

Just last year, the District of West Vancouver offered free lifeguard training to those interested as a way to entice new staff.

In a statement, the Vancouver Park Board says staff have been working on creative recruiting solutions for lifeguards, and that includes reducing the cost of lifeguard recertification as a pilot project in hopes of attracting new lifeguards. They are also encouraging retirees to apply as a way to stay active in their communities.

The Park Board anticipates adding up to 70 outdoor lifeguards in the next four to six weeks across Vancouver, with the goal of addressing possible shortages at outdoor aquatic sites.

Last summer, the Vancouver Park Board had to reduce opening hours at some pools while it struggled to staff the facilities safely.