Lifeguard class starts next week

Two lifeguard classes are scheduled this month.

The three-day course for certifi- cation in American Red Cross lifeguard, first aid and CPR for the professional rescuer will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 6-8 and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, May 13, 14 and 16. The classes will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Port Aransas Community Pool. Participants must attend all three days of the class.

The cost is $175 per person. Students who pay in advance will receive books and pocket masks at no charge.

Those waiting to pay the day of class must bring their own materials. The items may be purchased at the American Red Cross office, 1721 S. Brownlee in Corpus Christi.

Lifeguard certification graduates are eligible to apply for lifeguard jobs; however, certification does not insure work.

A prerequisite for the class is a 300-yard swim.

Participants must swim continuously using the following strokes: 100 yards front crawl (must breathe from side to side or in front and must show comfort and rhythmic kick); 100 yards breast stroke (using a pull, breath, kick and glide sequence); 100 yards breast stroke or front crawl (using the above techniques).

Another prerequisite for the class is a timed event. Starting in the water, participants must swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive seven to 10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within one minute, 40 seconds. Participants will be expected to attend all classes.

Call (361) 779-8388 with questions.

Registration forms for the class are available at the pool.

Completed forms may be returned to Port Aransas Community Pool or to city hall, 710 W. Ave. A, Port Aransas, TX 78373. The classes are sponsored by the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.