Lifeguard Shortage Plagues Pools and Beaches Nationwide

New York City is facing its worst lifeguard shortage on record, with fewer than 500 lifeguards ready to work, roughly a third of the number needed to fully staff beaches and pools this summer. The shortage is partly due to a bitter fight between the city and the unions that represent lifeguards, who control all lifeguard operations, down to determining who qualifies to work each summer. The shortage also stems from perennial issues like low salaries, a difficult qualifying test, and a pandemic-induced slowdown of the lifeguard pipeline.