It may be freezing outside, but inside one Manhattan recreation center, it’s a balmy 82 degrees.

Recently, about a dozen aspiring lifeguards put their swimming skills to the test. They had different reasons for being there.

What You Need To Know

  • The Parks Department says its lifeguard recruitment efforts are paying off, with more qualifying sessions being held in more locations — 434 people have already passed the qualifying test, 60 people ahead of where they finished last year

  • Another pay increase is helping to lure more applicants. In 2016, city lifeguards made just over $16 an hour. That jumped to more than $19 in 2022 and $21 in 2023. This year, it’s been increased to $22
  • The city also extended the qualifying time last year, giving applicants 10 more seconds to go 50 yards.  Before the change, only one in four people actually passed the test

  • Qualifying sessions are being held until March 2. For more information, visit here

"The money, I'm not going to lie," applicant Matt Bittner said. "It's a good summer job. It's fun. Some of my friends do it."

"Helping people was always something that I really liked, and I'm also a very like, I like the outdoors and stuff, like being in like, kind of that kind of scenery, so it kind of just mixes the two things together," applicant Courtney Molina said.

The lifeguard qualifying test requires all applicants to swim 50 yards in 45 seconds. Instructors also watch for good form.

"We're looking for individuals that are brave, and that want to be able to have their first entry job into the city government," First Deputy Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa said.

Qualifying isn’t as difficult as it used to be. Faced with the lifeguard shortage, the city extended the qualifying time last year, giving swimmers 10 more seconds to go 50 yards.

"We're very confident of the people that we select, because they go through a very rigorous training here with [the] New York City lifeguard program. We want to make sure that we have the best of the best, so we have complete confidence in the ability once they come out of the training," Rodriguez-Rosa said.

Another pay increase is also helping to lure more applicants. In 2016, city lifeguards made just over $16 an hour. That jumped to more than $19 in 2022 and $21 in 2023. This year, it’s been increased to $22. Those who work through the peak season will also receive a $1,000 bonus.

Back in the pool, the swim test proved challenging for some. The city holds dozens of test nights each year and does offer swim training programs to those who don’t qualify. After they complete the program, they can apply again.

For Bittner, who finished with time to spare, it’s on to the certification phase.

"I think I did good, when it comes down to it. I know I passed, which is all that matters, and I'm excited to see what comes next," he said.

Meanwhile for Molina, it was a race to the finish. She stopped the clock just in time.

During the last lap, she said she "was really pushing myself hoping I could make it, and I did."

Both plan to move forward in the process, and hope to be working at a pool or beach near you this summer.