Liam McNally
Melton Waves Leisure Centre is feeling the pinch of a statewide shortage of lifeguards and is seeking more young people from the community to get involved in lifeguard work.
On the hottest days of summer the centre has been forced to lower its guest capacity and temporarily close pools as it battles the shortage.
Life Saving Victoria (LSV) aquatic industry services manager Alek Olszewski said the aquatic industry was one of the hardest hit by COVID-19, as it was “one of the first to close and last to reopen following lockdowns.”
“LSV continues to train record numbers of lifeguards but despite this, some Victorian regions have still struggled to recruit staff members.”
Aquatic facilities are required to have a ratio of one lifeguard to 100 guests for still water, and one guard to 40 guests for moving water.
Melton Waves has a 50-metre outdoor pool, a 25-metre indoor pool, a wave pool, a warm water pool, and a spa. Facility manager Shaun Wyatt said that before lockdowns, at any given time the centre would have had up to 12 lifeguards on but this summer it had about six.
“You used to throw out an ad, and you’d have 10 people-plus apply, and you might only have four positions and you could choose from those 10 who were gonna be the strongest … [now] we could easily take on another 10 lifeguards,” he said.
“The ones that are coming through as soon as they’re doing it they’re loving it.
“I’d love to see more young people come and enjoy a job that is very rewarding, and a job where you get to create a safe environment for swimmers and the public from the Melton community.”
Mr Olszewski said LSV is endorsing Victorian government programs to boost lifeguard and swim teacher numbers including the New Wave and Youth Aquatic Accreditation Programs.
“We strongly encourage people who want to give back to their communities and to live a more active lifestyle to get in touch with their local aquatic facility and to become a lifeguard,” he said.
“It’s a great way to give back to your community, a great industry to work in and a good way to make a little bit of extra money in the current economic circumstances.”
