Volusia County looks to add more lifeguards for summer beach season

Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Updated ·2 min read

As Volusia County Beach Safety prepares for peak beach season, the division is close to hiring about 50 new seasonal lifeguards and looking for more to join the ranks.

Beach Safety has found about 48 possible recruits through tryouts this year, Interim Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs said. The county also has people who have worked for the agency previously who could return to work this season.

"We're hoping with the increase in pay and the bonuses that they will return," Malphurs said.

Starting pay for lifeguards is $17 an hour, and recruits can earn up to $1,750 in bonuses. The county has 56 full-time lifeguards.

The county has 160 returning lifeguards on its payroll, and officials are looking to add 150 more seasonal lifeguards, according to Malphurs.

The potential 48 recruits still have some training and physical requirements to complete.

Anyone interested in becoming a seasonal lifeguard still has a few opportunities to get started. Tryouts will be held at the following times:

  • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 18 at the Ormond Beach YMCA

  • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 25 at the Port Orange YMCA

  • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 1 at the Edgewater YMCA

"We really want people to come try out. We want to reach that number. This is a great place to work," Malphurs said.

A lifeguard keeps a watchful eye on swimmers at Andy Romano Beachfront Park in Ormond Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
A lifeguard keeps a watchful eye on swimmers at Andy Romano Beachfront Park in Ormond Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Lifeguards prep for peak beach season

Lifeguards are busy on Volusia County beaches.

In 2022 Volusia County lifeguards performed 2,189 rescues, according to the United States Lifesaving Association.

The unofficial start of the summer beach season is probably Memorial Day weekend, she said.

"Our personnel are really excited about the summer season coming up," Malphurs said.

Malphurs said people should swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower and download the Volusia Beaches app to get live updates on beach conditions and lifeguard locations.

People can learn more by calling Beach Safety at 386-239-7873.

This story has been updated to clarify the number of lifeguards working for the county and how many the county wants to hire.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County offers $17 an hour, bonuses to starting lifeguards