From the NY Times a few days ago. Very interesting. For some reason they put it in the retirment area of the business section, instead of in health and fitness.
In order to return for another season of sun, surf and rescues (on average, a lifeguard at these popular beaches is involved in about 15 to 20 rescues a season, said George Gorman, deputy regional director of the New York State office of parks) the experienced lifeguards have to pass a state-administered rehire test every spring. The exam is meant to test their speed in the water and on land.
The test consists of a 100-meter pool swim that must be completed in 1 minute, 20 seconds and a quarter-mile run in 2 minutes, 10 seconds.
“If you don’t pass, it doesn’t matter how many years you’ve been there,” said Bruce Meirowitz, 60, a retired high school art teacher from Sound Beach, N.Y., who has been a lifeguard since he was 17.
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