Starting Thursday, the Cortez Recreation Center will host Whistle Ready! Lifeguard Prep classes to prepare individuals for work as lifeguards.
The program will help registered students improve their swimming ability, focusing on the techniques and skills that will be required to pass the American Red Cross prerequisite testing to get into a lifeguard class.
The program is for those who wish to lifeguard in Cortez.
This is the first class of its kind in Cortez, according to Recreation Supervisor Michelle Devall.
“Cortez Aquatics has never offered a lifeguard prep course before, as there historically has never been a need to for skill prep before a class,” Devall told The Journal, adding that this course would be perfect for those who may be thinking about lifeguarding as a summer job.
The idea for this type of preparatory classes came about because of the need for lifeguards and the lack of individuals who can complete the prerequisites for lifeguarding.
“Since the pandemic, most of the people that have tried out for the lifeguard class have failed the prerequisite swimming requirements to get into a class,” Devall said. “We saw the need to try to help those who wanted to become lifeguards, but didn't have the stamina or proper skills to pass the course prereqs.”
The course will feature four nights of practice that will focus on a different skill required to pass and enroll into an American Red Cross lifeguard class. The winter course practices will be held every Thursday from Thursday, Jan. 9 through Thursday, Jan. 30. Each class will take place from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
There will also be a spring course, but right now those dates are to be determined.
According to the ARC, the prerequisite requirements to get into a lifeguard class are to swim 150 yards front crawl and breaststroke only, tread water using just legs for two minutes and swim for another 50 yards without stopping. This portion of the test is not timed.
The last portion requires the retrieval of a submerged object. An individual must start at the shallow end of the pool, swim to the deep end, retrieve a 10-pound brick and return to the starting point in 1 minute and 40 seconds. Each of these skills will be taught and practiced during the course.
Anyone can participate in the preparatory classes as long as they are 15 years old by June 1, 2025, and have basic swimming knowledge or experience.
The registration will close prior to the class start on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 4:45 p.m. Registration can be done at the Cortez Rec Center before that time.
Those with questions can contact Devall at (970) 564-4084 or Ahnna Higgins at (970) 564-4094.
