Are you or someone you know looking for seasonal employment? Although Cleveland is in the heart of winter, the city is beginning to recruit and train lifeguards for the summer. 

What do you need to know? 

To participate in lifeguard training, you: 

  • Must be 15 years of age or older
  • Must have CPR certification
  • Must have bloodborne pathogens certification (BBP)

The American Red Cross offers people the chance to become certified in both CPR and BBP. For more information on classes and pricing, click here.

Lifeguard training classes will be offered at the following Cleveland recreation centers:

  • Estabrook, on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 13
  • Thurgood Marshall, on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Jan. 14
  • Michael J. Zone, on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Feb. 4
  • Alexander Hamilton, on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Fed. 4
  • Earle B. Turner, on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Feb. 11

There is no cost to join the lifeguard training and placement program. No prior lifeguard experience is necessary. Classes run from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Cleveland has been looking to attract and retain more lifeguards since 2023. Due to staffing shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic, Cleveland had to reduce the hours of the 150 city pools when not enough lifeguards were available. To encourage people to become lifeguards, the city raised the pay rate from $12 to $13 an hour to $15+ an hour. 

Swim lessons

If you are looking to master your backstroke before the 2028 LA Olympics, a handful of Cleveland recreation centers are currently offering free swim lessons. Locations and times are as follows:

  • Earle B. Turner: Youth swim, Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. This is for ages 8-17 only.
  • Collinwood: Adult swim, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Youth swim, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Alexander Hamilton: Youth swim, Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
  • Michael J. Zone: Youth swim, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
  • Thurgood Marshall: Youth swim, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. On Tuesdays, all ages are welcome from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

To register for either the lifeguard training or swim lessons, call 216-664-2570. You do not have to be a resident of Cleveland to enroll.

Community Reporter (he/him)
I work to gain the trust of Cleveland residents through direct community engagement and storytelling. My goal is to amplify and celebrate the residents and stakeholders who contribute to the success of city neighborhoods. I’m hoping to erase the negative stigma that has been cast on some neighborhoods throughout the years.