East Hampton Town’s training for future lifeguards and for summertime participants in its Junior Lifeguard ocean readiness program will begin on March 5 in the pool at the Y.M.C.A. East Hampton RECenter.
Kids who take part in the Junior Lifeguard programs will be evaluated and trained for free on Sundays through June 18. Those who have participated previously need only pass a pool swim test. New trainees will first take a pre-test that includes swimming the freestyle stroke for 50 yards, treading water for at least five minutes, and swimming underwater for 10 to 15 yards. All trainees will have their freestyle, side, and breast strokes evaluated; those in need of improvement will receive additional instruction at the Y.M.C.A. before being tested and evaluated again for speed, pace, and form.
The program is offered in two sessions: from 1 to 1:45 or from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. There is no cost, but trainees must sign up in advance the town's website.
Training and evaluation for the Nipper Guard program, for children who will be between the ages of 6 and 8 by July 1, will begin on April 16.
For high school students 15 to 17 who are ready to put their skills to a new test, the East Hampton Town Recreation Department will offer a lifeguard trainee skills and conditioning program from March 5 through April 9 at the Y.M.C.A. “To start this training you don’t have to be a ‘good’ swimmer,” according to the town website. “We will correct your strokes and get you in ‘good’ swimming shape during this training.”
Stillwater training and certification for future lifeguards 15 and older begins on April 16, and ocean training and certification for those 16 and older begins on May 30 at the Maidstone Club. Together, the programs “provide the training and lifesaving skills necessary for individuals to pass the standards for the stillwater and/or ocean lifeguard certification test,” according to the Recreation Department. Registration is on the recreation page of the town’s website.