What to Expect at a Lifeguard Tryout

Lifeguard tryouts are opportunities to show your swimming and lifesaving skills. Often you must meet or beat time standards or be among the top finishers to qualify for advancement to oral interviews and pre-employment training. Some aquatic environments are intensely competitive while others may hire everyone who applies and qualifies.

Start Early

Most lifeguard tryouts occur early in the year (March or April). Start as early as you can to research the locations where you would consider working, to practice swimming, to obtain required certificates, and to complete necessary paperwork. Review the article Getting that Lifeguard Job for additional tips on the hiring process. This article focuses on the tryout itself.

Choose an Aquatic Environment

Each aquatic environment (pool, waterpark, waterfront, and ocean) has its advantages and benefits. Choose wisely based on your preferences, your location, and your abilities and limitations. The following table may help you decide the environment where you would like to work.

Environment Minimum Age Typical Practical Tests Certifications Pay Perks
Swimming pool 15 and up; however, most require 16 200–500 yd swim; 10–50 lb retrieval/carry; treading with brick; various lifeguarding skills Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR certificate; optional WSI or equivalent $$ - $$$ “Country-club” working environment; swimming lessons; many positions
Waterpark 15 and up; however, most require 16 Similar to pool; some shallow-water positions available Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR certificate; Waterpark Lifeguard certificate $ - $$ Free use of facility; variety of attractions; hire in large numbers
Waterfront 15 and up; however, most require 16 500–1000 yd swim; use of mask, fins, snorkel; knowledge of murky water and open water conditions Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR certificate; Waterfront Lifeguard certificate; WSI or equivalent $ - $$ “Camping” environment; may double as camp counselor; swimming lessons; room and board may be provided
Ocean 17 or 18 and up 500–1500 yd swim/sprints/run-swim-run; knowledge of surf conditions Successful completion of a rookie school; first aid/CPR certificate $$$ - $$$$ The beach is your office; lifelong positions available; some benefits

Get Tryout Information

Once you have selected an environment, go online and get tryout information for the agencies near you. Tryout information is published online early in the year (February or March) and also will be available to be mailed or faxed to you. This information typically  includes:

  • Tryout dates and times
  • Specific swimming tests to be performed
  • Other practical tests, if required
  • Certifications required
  • Other paperwork required (job application, hold harmless agreement, fitness report from a doctor, etc.)
  • Date of oral interview if different from the tryout date

Remember that preparation is key. It is always a plus to be the fastest swimmer and a good interviewee, but have all things prepared by the tryout shows that you are reliable and sincere about the job.

Get Certificates Before the Tryout if Possible

If you want a swimming pool, waterpark, or waterfront job, get the certificates you need before the tryout. People do it the other way, and that may work out because a pool may be hiring many people, but you will do better in the oral interview and in practical tests involving lifesaving skills and CPR/first aid if you have already taken those courses.

If you are in the Southern California area, for example, check out the courses available in Irvine, Los Alamitos, and Corona by Water Safety Guy and Safe Swim. Throughout the United States, go to the American Red Cross website to find aquatic courses near your zip code.

Be Prepared on Tryout Day

Getting the tryout information and required certifications ahead off time will give you the basic knowledge and skills you need to do well.

Hold Your Own “Practice Tryout”

To complete your preparation, you should get in the water a few times before the tryout and practice the swim tests you will be required to perform. Nothing will build your confidence more than going in knowing that you can do what is required of you. While practicing for your tryout, follow these guidelines:

  • Never swim alone. If you are trying out with a friend, bring that person with you when you practice. Maybe get someone to act as a timer.
  • Swim where you will be tested. If you are going out for a waterfront or surf beach position, practice in that environment to acclimate to those conditions. Remember to wear a cap to retain heat and take it slow at first if you haven’t been in colder water for a while.
  • Time yourself if the event will be timed. If you are expected to meet a time standard, time yourself so you know by the tryout that you can definitely be successful.
  • Know the conditions. Open water swims may be subject to wind, waves, rocks, piers, drifts, currents, etc. Not only do you need to be aware of these factors, you need to understand how to avoid them or use them to your advantage.
  • Know your skills. Review lifesaving, first aid, and CPR skills, especially victim assessment; high-quality CPR; first aid for severe bleeding and shock, sudden illnesses, and environmental extremes.
  • Know your limitations. If an environment seems to be too challenging for your swimming ability, tolerance to the cold, etc., remember that there are other environments and locations where you can work.

Mental and Physical Preparation

Preparing for a lifeguard tryout is similar to preparing for a swim meet, water polo contest, or any sporting event. Consider these tips:

  • Taper the workout and manage your energy. As the tryout gets closer, taper any workouts that you are performing so that energy reserves go up. At the same time, manage it in ways that will not exhaust you or cause an injury. Get good sleep, especially the night before.
  • Eat wisely (no pigging out). Keep your meals sensible as your approach the tryout date. Avoid heavy, spicy, unfamiliar foods; eat foods high in carbohydrates like breads, pasta, cereal, and fruit. Don’t skip breakfast, especially on the day of the tryout. Most tryouts are in the morning, so your breakfast should be something like oatmeal with low-fat milk, wheat toast with nut butter, and yogurt or fruit. if the tryout will take several hours, pack foods like these to nibble on between events. Pack enough so you do not run out of food.
  • Pack wisely. Of course, pack enough food (see above), but also pack an extra suit, cap, and goggles. Pack towels, warm clothes, music, phone, and any other nonessential items that you like to have around you when you have time to kill. Be sure to bring any paperwork to be turned in, a reliable pen and notepad (for notes), and money just in case. Keep your bag with you as much as possible.
  • Prepare a pre-race routine. It should include stretching, warming up, psyching up, and even music to listen to. If you already have one for competition, keep it similar as it will cue your body to rev up for the day’s events.
  • Have a goal for each event. If you have been practicing the swims, you should have an idea of what you are capable of. Strive to do your best but, by being precise about it in terms of time or other measurable factors, you will know how you measured up when you finish.
  • Envision success. Mental preparation includes visualizing how you can be successful before you hit the water. This is another way that your practice and acclimation will benefit you-it will help you to see your way to the finish line. because things can go wrong in any test, part of visualizing success means thinking about what could go wrong and thinking about how you might react to correct the situation. Not only will this help you to avoid the temptation of giving up mid-event, it will help you to react with lightning speed if something does really happen. Remember to stay calm and focused through you visualizations as well as the reality and stress of the actual event.

Check Out Some Tryout/Training Videos

This final section contains some links to actual tryouts held in various environments mentioned above. Check them out to help you prepare. Good luck!

Swimming Pool Tryouts/Training

Waterfront Lifeguard Tryouts/Training

Waterpark Lifeguard Tryouts/Training

Open Water/Surf Tryouts/Training