Lifeguard shortage could lead to local beach closures

SEATTLE — Several cities in western Washington and across the country are facing a lifeguard shortage.

The shortage could lead to some beaches being closed this summer.

The swimming beach at Seward Park on Lake Washington was closed last year due to the shortage.

It is not yet known if it will be closed this year. Seattle Parks and Recreation officials are still working on the summer beach schedule.

Which beaches will be open will depend on how many lifeguards are available and how experienced they are.

“We are still in discussions of figuring out exactly which beaches will be open this summer. We do foresee having an impact similar to last year, having a couple beaches that were not able to open because we just don’t have enough lifeguards,” said Seattle Parks and Recreation communications manager Rachel Schulkin.

Newer lifeguards are not put on beaches, according to the agency. Senior lifeguards are needed to work beaches because there is also the element of weather involved.

The pandemic is also a factor in the shortage. When public swimming areas and beaches were closed during the height of COVID-19, several senior lifeguards quit because there wasn’t any work for them.

The pandemic also shut down lifeguard training and certification, so the supply of new lifeguards has dwindled.

The good news is that Seattle Parks and Recreation is hiring lifeguards. If you’re a strong swimmer, training and certification could take just a few months.

Seattle isn’t the only city dealing with the shortage. A spokesperson with Bellevue Parks & Community Services said the department is actively recruiting lifeguards. More than a dozen have been hired already, but Bellevue is looking for 15 more to cover all of its beaches and the Bellevue Aquatic Center.

In Kirkland, however, officials said they do not have a shortage of lifeguards and expect all of the city’s public swimming areas to be fully staffed.

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