Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe today presided over a swearing-in for lifeguards who will serve at City beaches and pools this summer. Thanks to an aggressive recruitment campaign that targeted lifeguards in New York City and in countries all over the world, the City is on pace to hire 11% more lifeguards than last year. At a ceremony on the Boardwalk in Coney Island, Brooklyn, Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Benepe also announced that City beaches will open on Saturday, May 25, 2002.

"New York City has some of the finest beaches in the world and we want New Yorkers to enjoy the sand and surf safely," Mayor Bloomberg said. "The City has recruited and trained highly-qualified lifeguards throughout the five boroughs and, for the first time ever, from around the world. We will do everything we can to protect swimmers at beaches and pools. But lifeguards can only do their jobs when they are on duty, and we urge New Yorkers not to risk their lives by swimming when beaches and pools are closed."

"The City's 14 miles of beach are ready for the summer, graded, cleaned, and with many new renovated features," said Commissioner Benepe. "A strong team of lifeguards recruited from the areas and around the world will ensure safety at the beaches and 53 outdoor pools. To ensure public safety, we must remind New Yorkers that they should never swim when there are no lifeguards on duty."

Since the beginning of the year, the Parks Department has conducted the City's extensive lifeguard recruiting campaign, which included visiting every public school in New York City, distributing literature throughout the five boroughs, public service announcements, and recruiting lifeguards from all over the world. In conjunction with several international lifeguard recruiting services, the Parks Department selected and screened candidates, and subsequently hired qualified lifeguards, who will reside at local YMCAs during the summer, on J-1 Visas. Thus, for the first time in New York City's history, lifeguards from around the globe will patrol the City's beaches and pools. Over 60 lifeguards from England, Ireland, Scotland, Poland Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, and Yugoslavia will help protect New Yorkers at the City's public beaches and pools.

Candidates for lifeguard positions must be 16 years or older, swim 50 yards in 35 seconds, and complete 40 hours of training, including CPR instruction. The Parks Department still has lifeguard openings, and potential applicants should call (212) 830-7880.

The City's beaches, which span 14 miles, will officially open on Saturday, May 25, 2002. Parks beaches include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Brighton Beach, Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfe's Pond Beach in Staten Island. The City's 53 outdoor pools will open on Saturday, June 29, 2002. Both City beaches and pools are free to the public. Beaches are open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. while and the pools are open 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Swimming is prohibited when beaches and pools are closed.